Lights, Camera, Scoop: 'Coolie' and 'War 2' Fight It Out, 'Saiyaara' Sparks Insecurities, and Ananya Panday's 'Kindness' Project

War 2 vs Coolie

Ready or not, there is going to be a big box-office battle on August 14 between two heavyweights; from the star casts and production houses, right to the directors, as War 2 will clash with Rajinikanth-led Coolie.

Yash Raj Films recently unveiled the trailer of their spy universe thriller starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, and the response has been a massive leap from the teaser. The darker tone has set the film apart from other titles in the universe (Pathaan is more fast and frivolous, Tiger more political), although the VFX still need a bit of fine-tuning. While the industry hopes for further polish before the film's release, a surprising development just preceded the trailer's drop.

War 2 has bagged exclusive worldwide showcasing for IMAX, Dolby Cinema, ICE, 4DX, DBOX and 4DEM screens. What this means is, YRF has secured all premium screens for War 2 and no other Indian film will be played in the IMAX version in India and key properties across the world during that period, including Coolie.

The development came right after Coolie advances opened to smashing responses in the US. Prathyangira Cinemas, the film's distributor in North America, took to X and confirmed the development, informing fans that the Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial won't release anywhere in the IMAX format.

This, of course, could be rooted in what happened when Coolie makers dropped the Aamir Khan poster with an IMAX logo on it. Trade sources, reported by Bollywood Hungama, noted that inclusion of the logo was "shocking" as Coolie’s IMAX release wasn’t even approved by the IMAX Corporation. Sources say the makers could have jumped the gun to secure screens well in advance.

However, as things stand today, War 2 seems to have an edge when it comes to premium showcasing; meanwhile, the makers of Coolie have got PEN Marudhar on board to distribute the movie in Hindi.

The curious case of Saiyaara

Mohit Suri's romantic musical Saiyaara isn't just scripting history at the box-office; it is shaking things up within the industry, and bruising some egos. Ever since the film led by newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, started trending phenomenally, myopic agents and publicists jumped onto the narrative of "fresh faces" and outsiders either ruling the box-office or set to win more hearts, placing their respective clients on their list and indulging in paid posts.

THR India spoke to multiple people in the know to understand how the success of rank newcomers with no publicity before the release had rattled many in the business, some of whom felt they would miss out on the bandwagon and wanted to cash in on the narrative to remind people even they exist and are equally new faces.

While that's all fine, well-minded publicists and managers couldn't stop facepalming at how embarrassingly some of this narrative was planted on Instagram. Those who have been following the Saiyaara trail would remember that this is not new.

It all started right before the opening, when credible voices in the industry and trade started getting "tip-offs" to check if the collections of the film were indeed genuine (or 'organic', as the term goes).

Veteran trade critic Komal Nahta published an article writing how an actor, with more than 40 films to his credit, was having sleepless nights, while another, a relatively newer hero, was said to be ringing up the producers of his current film to enquire if the reported collections had any merit.

"Another hero, with almost 20 films to his credit, simply can’t concentrate on his shooting as he is asking all whether the hype around Saiyaara is for real," Nahta had written.

A still from 'Saiyaara'

Panday 2.0

There was another Panday who debuted something new this week: Ananya. The actor, who is basking in the love coming her brother's way for Saiyaara, was back with her initiative So Positive, teaming up with NGO Slam Out Loud to launch 'Kindness Curriculum' for children.

Ananya said the initiative will encourage children to "understand and practice empathy, compassion, and kindness" through storytelling, poetry, and visual arts. The said curriculum will be distributed in schools through a special tie-up with the team working towards making it available on the Government’s DIKSHA Portal as well.

"With everything going on in the world, I feel an even stronger need to help build a generation that’s more empathetic, emotionally aware, and simply… kind," Ananya said in a note to THR India.

Up next, the actor will be seen in two Dharma films, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Mera co-starring Kartik Aaryan, and Chand Mera Dil, directed by Aap Jaisa Koi helmer Vivek Soni.