The much-anticipated ‘War 2’ has hit theatres on August 14 amid enormous excitement, with early audience reactions on X suggesting it could emerge as the biggest blockbuster of 2025. Fans are calling it a “thrill ride” filled with high-octane action, suspense, and emotional stakes, while praising the on-screen chemistry between Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.

Directed by Ayan Mukerji, ‘War 2’ expands Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe. Hrithik Roshan reprises his role as Major Kabir Dhaliwal, who has now gone rogue, becoming India’s most dangerous villain. Jr NTR makes his highly anticipated Bollywood debut as elite agent Vikram, charged with bringing Kabir to justice. The film features a globe-spanning cat-and-mouse chase, jaw-dropping stunts, tense confrontations, and an emotional undercurrent that audiences are calling “hard-hitting.”

Audience reactions

Fans on X have been quick to laud the film for its scale, breathtaking stunts, and the performances of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. The trailer, released on July 25, immediately set social media abuzz, highlighting the explosive face-off between Major Kabir and Agent Vikram, alongside stylish choreography, espionage twists, and hints of romance.

One user on X wrote, “JrNTR delivers pure goosebumps. His entry is a total banger, whether it’s mass or class, the way he emotes is absolute cinema.”

Another user wrote, “Coolie will get a tough competition! War 2 is a clean Block Buster! What a dance and screen dominance of NTR.”

A third user wrote, “Opens new horizons for Spy Universe, nothing forced staying exceptionally true to story!”

Advance booking numbers soar

Even before its release, ‘War 2’ has rewritten box office expectations. Telugu ticket sales, which went live earlier this week, caused pre-sales to surge, with BookMyShow reporting over 20,000 tickets sold per hour at peak demand. According to Sacnilk, the Hindi version alone had already amassed roughly ₹10 crore (including block seats) prior to Telugu bookings. Analysts now predict an opening day collection exceeding ₹45 crore across all languages, with the opening weekend expected to surpass ₹150 crore worldwide.

Star-studded ensemble

‘War 2’ unites some of the most exciting talent in recent Bollywood history. Hrithik Roshan returns as the magnetic and unpredictable Major Kabir Dhaliwal, while Jr NTR steps in as Agent Vikram, bringing South Indian cinema flair to Bollywood. Kiara Advani joins the cast as Kavya Luthra, an Air Force officer whose presence adds both emotional depth and action intensity. Ashutosh Rana reprises his role as Colonel Sunil Luthra, maintaining continuity from the first film.