War 2 is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language action thriller that marks the sixth instalment of the Yash Raj Films (YRF) Spy Universe. Directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced by Aditya Chopra under YRF, this film brings together powerhouse talents and is backed by arguably the biggest budget in Indian cinema.
Budget & Scale
Made at an estimated ₹400 crore, War 2 stands as one of the most expensive Indian films to date. The lavish spending includes salaries reportedly as high as:
- Hrithik Roshan: ₹50 crore upfront + profit-sharing (potentially crossing ₹100 crore)
- Jr NTR (Hindi debut): ₹70 crore
- Kiara Advani: ₹15 crore
- Anil Kapoor: ₹10 crore
Additionally, regional rights (Telugu version) were sold for around ₹90 crore, helping offset the massive budget.
Cast & Characters
- Hrithik Roshan reprises his role as Major Kabir Dhaliwal, a rogue former RAW agent.
- N. T. Rama Rao Jr. (Jr NTR) makes his much-anticipated Bollywood debut as Vikram Chelapathi, with a central role.
- Kiara Advani plays the female lead (Kavya Luthra), adding charisma and emotional nuance.
- Supporting cast: Includes stalwarts Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor—with Kapoor introducing a new RAW chief in the YRF universe.
- Cameos: Notable appearances from Shah Rukh Khan reprising Pathaan in this overarching Spy Universe.
Director & Production Crew
- Director: Ayan Mukerji, known for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and the recent Brahmastra, ventures into the spy-action genre with this massive undertaking.
- Producer: Aditya Chopra, YRF’s mastermind behind the Spy Universe.
- Screenplay: By Shridhar Raghavan and dialogues by Abbas Tyrewala; story originated from Chopra himself.
- Cinematography: Benjamin Jasper (and alternate listings mention P. S. Vinod)—both names associated across sources.
- Editing: Aarif Sheikh.
- Music: Songs composed by Pritam, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya; background score by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara.
Story & Plot
War 2 picks up as Major Kabir Dhaliwal turns rogue and poses a grave threat to national security. To counter him, a specialized intelligence officer, Vikram Chelapathi (Jr NTR), is deployed. The clash of ideologies, patriotism, and high-stakes espionage fuel the narrative.
Filming & Locations
Principal photography began in October 2023, with global shoots across Mumbai, Spain, Italy, Abu Dhabi, Kashmir, and Japan (depending on sources) to deliver a lavish visual spectacle.
The production reportedly involved 150 shooting days, six major action sequences, five countries, and at least one major dance sequence featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.
Release Strategy
Scheduled for a grand worldwide release on 14 August 2025, the launch was timed to coincide with India’s Independence Day weekend—one of the most lucrative windows in Indian cinema. Release formats included standard, IMAX, 4DX, D-Box, ICE, Dolby Cinema, and other premium formats.
Music & Promotions
- Singles:
- “Aavan Jaavan” released on 31 July 2025
- “Janaab-e-Aali” teased on 7 August 2025, with the full version debuting in theaters.
- Promotion: The film’s teaser dropped on 20 May 2025 (Jr NTR’s birthday), amping up excitement with glimpses of high-voltage action and a bikini look from Kiara Advani.
- The soundtrack and promotional push faced mixed reactions, with “Aavan Jaavan” drawing criticism for its choreography and perceived “mama-bhanji” chemistry.
Reception & Box-Office
- Critical reviews skewed negative; many found it a visually grand yet unimaginative sequel—“a splashy but unimaginative retread” summarized one review.
- Box office:
- Day 1 net domestic: ₹52.5 crore—just shy of the ₹53 crore opening of its predecessor (War(2019)). Strong pan-India showing, though trailing behind Rajinikanth’s Coolie.
- By Afternoon/Day 2: Collections surged—reports mention ₹60–85 crore within two days, with expectations to cross ₹100 crore during the Independence Day holiday.
Fan enthusiasm was palpable—from early morning screenings to viral incidents such as a fan reportedly using a flamethrower inside a theatre, sparking safety concerns. Promotions were not without controversy, including Jr NTR’s candid “Be silent while I’m talking” reply to a fan at a pre-release event—drawing mixed reactions.
The Verdict
War 2 is undeniably a high-budget, star-studded spectacle—YRF’s boldest spy thriller yet. Its global production scale, elite cast, and cross-regional appeal position it as a landmark in Indian cinema. However, despite initial box office momentum, critical bias toward its narrative formula and predictable arc may impact its long-term legacy.
