'Coolie' vs 'War 2': Film Exhibitors Predict 'Biggest Box-Office Weekend' in the History of Indian Cinema

It is going to be a clash of the titans with War 2 and Coolie on August 14, and irrespective of what both films do at the box-office, the winner will be the Indian film industry. Film exhibitors say that the two films will rewrite records as they gear up for a grand global opening next month.

Led by Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, War 2 is part of Yash Raj Films' spy universe. Also starring Kiara Advani, the actioner is directed by Ayan Mukerji. Meanwhile, Coolie will see megastar Rajinikanth playing a former gold smuggler in filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj's action-thriller.

In an exclusive interview with THR India, exhibitors Akkshay Rathie and Vishek Chauhan opened up about their projections for the two films. "Even in the worst-case scenario, you will have a ballistic opening weekend, and that's not a problem at all considering the times we have gone through in the last couple of years," Rathie, Director, Ashirwad Theatres Pvt Ltd, said.

According to Rathie, War 2, perhaps for the first time in many years, will feature a true-blue superstar from the Hindi market, coming together with another true-blue star from the Telugu market, both territories that contribute heavily to the box-office.

"If you had only Jr. NTR and Ram Charan, you would go ballistic in the predominantly Telugu-speaking markets. Or if you had Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, like in War, beyond a point, you are not making too much of an appeal in the Southern state. That's not the case here."

Chauhan, CEO of Bihar-based Roopbani Cinemas, said fans will be witnessing "history" on the Independence Day weekend. The exhibitor said both films are so massively anticipated, there will be capacity issues across cinemas.

"Every cinema hall across the country that is playing these films will be sold out. There won't be enough seats in those cinemas to accommodate audiences across the country, because of the pandemonium these stars bring. War is a huge franchise film with Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan with YRF's spy universe tag, and then there is Coolie with Rajinikanth, Lokesh, and Aamir Khan in Hindi. I am hearing that in the US, the advance booking of Coolie is historic, better than even Jailer. It's going to be the biggest box-office weekend in the history of Indian cinema," Chauhan added.

Rathie also said that Rajinikanth's mammoth stardom will be in full glory when the film hits the big screens, as his "euphoria" alone can shake things up. On top of that, the actor teaming up with Kanagaraj will be a "lethal combo".

"Rajinikanth, at this age, is breaking his own records, which by themselves are enviable. He did that with Jailer and he will probably go beyond that with Coolie. I won't be surprised if August 14 is the date when we witness one of the biggest openings ever," Rathie said.