NTR, Hrithik Roshan's War 2 Pre-Release Business Shocks Trade

When you put Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan together in one frame, expectations are bound to skyrocket. War 2, the big-ticket sequel from Yash Raj Films, is riding on exactly that. Without aggressive promotions, the film has already become a talking point, not for teasers or songs, but for the jaw-dropping pre-release business numbers now doing rounds in trade circles.

In the Telugu states, Sithara Entertainments head Naga Vamsi has reportedly paid around ₹90 crore just for the rights. Breaking it down, Nizam rights cost ₹36.50 crore, Seeded area went for ₹18 crore, and Andhra clocked in at ₹36 crore. That’s ₹90.50 crore before a single ticket has been sold, a number fuelled largely by NTR’s massive pull. Trade analysts say the film needs a ₹95 crore share (about ₹190 crore gross) from Telugu alone to break even, a target considered achievable thanks to festival holidays, high ticket prices, and fan frenzy.

In Hindi, the buzz is just as hot. With YRF’s spy universe backing it, Hrithik Roshan leading the Hindi market, and NTR adding a strong South connect, the film has done ₹150 crore in pre-release theatrical business. Add ₹23 crore from the rest of India and ₹102 crore from overseas, and War 2’s worldwide pre-release business hits a staggering ₹365.5 crore.

Now comes the real challenge. To break even globally, War 2 must collect at least ₹370 crore in share, translating to about ₹740 crore gross. But industry insiders are aiming even higher, a ₹100 crore-plus opening day and the dream figure of ₹1,000 crore worldwide. Whether it reaches that milestone or not, one thing’s for sure: the trade hasn’t seen a pre-release gamble like this in a long time.

When you put Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan together in one frame, expectations are bound to skyrocket. War 2, the big-ticket sequel from Yash Raj Films, is riding on exactly that. Without aggressive promotions, the film has already become a talking point, not for teasers or songs, but for the jaw-dropping pre-release business numbers now doing rounds in trade circles.

In the Telugu states, Sithara Entertainments head Naga Vamsi has reportedly paid around ₹90 crore just for the rights. Breaking it down, Nizam rights cost ₹36.50 crore, Seeded area went for ₹18 crore, and Andhra clocked in at ₹36 crore. That’s ₹90.50 crore before a single ticket has been sold, a number fuelled largely by NTR’s massive pull. Trade analysts say the film needs a ₹95 crore share (about ₹190 crore gross) from Telugu alone to break even, a target considered achievable thanks to festival holidays, high ticket prices, and fan frenzy.

In Hindi, the buzz is just as hot. With YRF’s spy universe backing it, Hrithik Roshan leading the Hindi market, and NTR adding a strong South connect, the film has done ₹150 crore in pre-release theatrical business. Add ₹23 crore from the rest of India and ₹102 crore from overseas, and War 2’s worldwide pre-release business hits a staggering ₹365.5 crore.

Now comes the real challenge. To break even globally, War 2 must collect at least ₹370 crore in share, translating to about ₹740 crore gross. But industry insiders are aiming even higher, a ₹100 crore-plus opening day and the dream figure of ₹1,000 crore worldwide. Whether it reaches that milestone or not, one thing’s for sure: the trade hasn’t seen a pre-release gamble like this in a long time.