War 2 is a stylish, star-driven action entertainer. Hrithik Roshan shines, Jr NTR is the true game-changer, and Kiara Advani adds flair. However, the weak script and uneven pacing hold it back from becoming a true spy classic.
Film Review: What Works, What Doesn’t
Visuals and Action
Critics agree: War 2 scores high on spectacle. Its chase sequences—whether on cars or boats—are well-paced and rarely overedited. Overall, it’s more visually impressive than typical Bollywood offerings of recent years.(Roger Ebert, InSession Film)
Story and Emotional Depth
Where it falls short is the narrative. Reviews describe the plot as predictable and lacking emotional weight. The screenplay fails to weave the flashy action into something more resonant.(www.greatandhra.com, IMDb)
Critical Rating
The Times of India gave it a middling 3 out of 5, noting it entertains as a high-octane action flick but loses steam as the story unfolds.(The Times of India) Roger Ebert’s review describes it as less sophisticated, but not without its strengths in execution.(Roger Ebert)
General Sentiment
Fans on Reddit summed it up:
“A slick action film that looks great on screen, but it leans heavily on star power rather than strong writing.”(Reddit)
Character Breakdown
- Hrithik Roshan as Kabir
Returns as the RAW agent from War (2019). Kabir is emotionally scarred, hardened by his past. Roshan’s presence anchors the film.(Wikipedia, Reddit) - Jr NTR as Vikram
Making his Bollywood debut, he brings intensity to the role of a formidable adversary. Fans see this as a key moment in his journey toward becoming a pan-India star.(Wikipedia) - Kiara Advani
Injects freshness with her fierce persona—no mere love interest. She brings action and attitude to the table.
Box Office Performance
Opening Weekend & Early Run
- Opening Day (India): ₹52 crore—Hrithik’s biggest opener.(The Times of India)
- First Weekend (India): Crossed ₹170 crore.(The Times of India)
First Week & Mid-Run
- By Day 8: ₹200 crore nett in India.(Navbharat Times, Hindustan Times)
- Domestic Nett: ₹204 crore net, ₹243 crore gross by Day 8.(Hindustan Times)
Drop & Short Recovery
- Day 9 (Second Friday): Dropped to ₹4 crore nett. Total India at ₹208.25 crore.(The Times of India)
- Day 10 (Saturday): Bounced back to ₹6.25 crore nett. Domestic total around ₹214.5 crore.(The Times of India, www.ndtv.com, The Indian Express)
Overall Worldwide Performance
- By Day 11:
- India: ₹214.5 crore net (~₹256 crore gross)
- Overseas: Under $9 million (~₹74 crore)
- Worldwide Total: ~₹330 crore gross(The Financial Express, Hindustan Times, The Times of India)
Relative Performance
- Surpassed Ek Tha Tiger (₹321 crore) globally—but still remains one of the lower-grossing films in the YRF Spy Universe.(Hindustan Times)
- Despite strong opening, it struggled to maintain momentum—India’s theatres saw dwindling occupancy.(Navbharat Times, Hindustan Times)
- Competing against Rajinikanth’s Coolie, which pulled ahead globally (₹447–468 crore), War 2 lost ground in overall worldwide earnings.(Bangla news, Navbharat Times)
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Strengths | High-octane action, cinematography, star performances |
| Weaknesses | Thin narrative, emotional disconnect, visuals over substance |
| Domestic Revenue | ₹214–216 crore net, ~₹256 crore gross |
| Worldwide Earnings | ~₹330 crore gross |
| Context | Loose profitability due to high budget; outperformed some franchise peers but underwhelmed vs. expectations and rivals like Coolie |
Final Take
War 2 delivers exactly what you’d expect: adrenaline-fueled action wrapped in star power. It works as a popcorn ride, but lacks the story depth that makes a sequel truly memorable. Box office numbers are solid—especially early on—but the film couldn’t sustain its buzz amid fierce competition and rising expectations.
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