The age-old fable of the tortoise and the hare finds a modern twist in Indian cinema’s biggest face-off of 2025 – Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie starring Rajinikanth vs YRF’s War 2 starring Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr.. While War 2 sprints ahead with Bollywood’s spy-universe charm, Coolie marches forward with unstoppable South Indian mass appeal. But in this cinematic marathon, who will cross the finish line first? Let’s break it down.
Table of Contents
The Build-Up: August Fireworks
August brought a storm to Indian cinema with the Coolie trailer release. Rajinikanth’s electrifying presence and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s mastery in balancing mass and class cinema have ignited massive hype. Unlike the polished, suave vibe of War 2, Coolie’s trailer is raw, brutal, and pulsating with energy — exactly what Indian audiences crave.
Even before release, Coolie has been labeled the “perfect mass cinema” that blends stylish action with intense storytelling, while also teasing a possible time-travel subplot that has fans speculating endlessly.
Why Coolie is Making Noise
- Rajinikanth Factor: At 74, his screen presence needs no dialogues — just his eyes can set the screen on fire.
- Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Direction: Known for crafting cinematic universes and managing huge star casts without overshadowing anyone.
- Anirudh’s BGM: The 3-minute trailer’s heartbeat is its thunderous background score, creating a wild-fire effect.
- Mystery Angle: Unlike War 2, Coolie’s trailer hints at unpredictable plot twists.
Ticket Pricing Drama in Telugu State
In Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana, both War 2 and Coolie faced intense debates over ticket pricing.
- Local audiences protested against hiked prices for dubbed films, leading the government to keep prices normal.
- This benefits audiences directly — more repeat viewings are now likely, especially for star-driven films.
- Yash Raj Films – Official War 2 Page – For official War 2 announcements.
- Sun Pictures – Coolie Updates – For Coolie trailers, posters, and production updates.
- IMDb Coolie Page – For cast & crew details.
- BookMyShow – Coolie Tickets – For advance booking references.
Telangana Prices:
- War 2: ₹175 (Single Screens) / ₹295 (Multiplex)
- Coolie: ₹175 (Single Screens) / ₹295 (Multiplex)
Andhra Pradesh Prices:
- War 2: ₹175 (Single) / ₹252 (Multiplex)
- Coolie: ₹147 (Single) / ₹177 (Multiplex)
War 2 gets a slight edge in AP pricing, but Coolie’s comparatively lower rate in AP could draw in more mass audience footfall.
all inforation from online mnews articals like Bollywood Hungama – Box Office Reports – For daily collection updates.
Film Companion – Reviews – For critic perspectives.
Times of India Entertainment – For related movie news.
Advance Booking Battle
- War 2: 9,000 shows locked, 1.51 lakh tickets sold, ₹4.9 crore advance (excluding block seats).
- Coolie: 7,500 shows, 9.53 lakh tickets sold, ₹20.75 crore advance — already a huge jump.
With Coolie’s aggressive sales, it’s on track to break South Indian records, and potentially hit ₹40 crore+ advance bookings before release.
Inside Coolie: From Cast to Story Hints
- Director: Sukumar
- Lead: Allu Arjun reprises his role as Pushpa Raj.
- Supporting Cast: Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Sai Pallavi.
- Release Date: December 5, 2025 (Worldwide, in multiple formats: Standard, 3D, IMAX, 4DX, D-Box, ICE).
- Languages: Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, Malayalam.
- Music: Anirudh Ravichander.
- Budget & Remuneration: Allu Arjun becomes India’s highest-paid actor with ₹300 crore for Coolie.
- Plot Tease: Continues Pushpa: The Rise storyline — intense action, political intrigue, and potential supernatural/time-travel angles.
Audience Sentiment
- South Indian Market: Rooting strongly for Coolie due to Rajinikanth’s dominance and Sukumar’s storytelling.
- Hindi Belt: Surprisingly leaning towards Coolie despite War 2’s Bollywood roots, mainly due to the mass action appeal.
- Fan Wars: Tamil industry trolls on Rajinikanth’s age have backfired, with Coolie’s trailer being a slap in the face to critics.
Coolie vs War 2: Day One Predictions
| Factor | Coolie | War 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Star Power | Rajinikanth + Allu Arjun | Hrithik Roshan + NTR Jr. |
| Trailer Impact | Brutal, mysterious, high-energy | Slick, stylish, action-heavy |
| Advance Bookings | ₹20.75 Cr (so far) | ₹4.9 Cr (so far) |
| Audience Reach | Strong in South + surprising Hindi pull | Strong pan-India appeal |
| Ticket Pricing Edge | AP advantage | Telangana parity |
Verdict (Pre-Release): Coolie currently has the momentum to open bigger, but War 2’s final push in the Hindi market could make this a close race.
Also Read : Upcoming Netflix Movies & Series in August 2025 – Full Review & Release Dates
