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War 2
War 2 is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films. The script is written by Shridhar Raghavan and Abbas Tyrewala, based on an original story by Chopra. It is the sixth film in the YRF Spy Universe and a sequel to War (2019). The film stars Hrithik Roshan, N. T. Rama Rao Jr., and Kiara Advani, along with Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor.
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| Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ayan Mukerji |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Aditya Chopra |
| Screenplay by | Shridhar Raghavan |
| Dialogues by | Abbas Tyrewala |
| Story by | Aditya Chopra |
| Starring | Hrithik Roshan N. T. Rama Rao Jr. Kiara Advani Ashutosh Rana Anil Kapoor |
| Music by | Songs:
Score:
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| Cinematography | Benjamin Jasper |
| Edited by | Aarif Sheikh |
| Production company | Yash Raj Films |
| Distributed by | Yash Raj Films |
| Release date | August 14, 2025 |
| Running time | 173 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | ₹400 crore |
| Box office | |
Filming began in October 2023, with major shooting in Mumbai and some schedules in Spain, Italy, and Abu Dhabi. The soundtrack is by Pritam, while Sanchit and Ankit Balhara composed the background score. With an estimated budget of ₹400 crore, it is among the most expensive Indian films ever made.
War 2 was released worldwide on 14 August 2025, during the Indian Independence Day weekend, in standard and premium formats like IMAX, D-Box, ICE, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema.
Plot
In 2024, five years after going rogue, Kabir Dhaliwal works as a mercenary but is secretly still loyal to RAW. He infiltrates the Kali Cartel, a powerful syndicate trying to control India. To prove loyalty, he is forced to "kill" his mentor Colonel Luthra, earning the cartel’s trust.
RAW believes Kabir has turned traitor. Luthra’s daughter Kavya, who once loved Kabir, is assigned to catch him. Meanwhile, Special Officer Vikram Chelapathi joins the mission, secretly hiding his past with Kabir.
Kabir discovers that Vikram is actually Raghu, his childhood friend from Mumbai. Long ago, Kabir joined the army while Raghu failed, leaving him bitter. Now Vikram has become part of the cartel.
The cartel’s leader Gulati is killed by Vikram, who frames Kabir. Later, Kabir and Kavya find out that Defence Minister Sarang is also a cartel member, plotting to become Prime Minister by staging his family’s murder. Kabir fights back and kills Sarang.
In the climax, Kabir battles Vikram in an ice cave. Instead of killing him, Kabir convinces Vikram to join him in secretly destroying the cartel.
Nine months later, Vikram is declared a martyr, but in reality, he and Kabir continue working from the shadows. Kabir reunites with Kavya and promises to always protect India.
In a post-credits scene, a girl is recruited into a mysterious program called Alpha.
Cast
- Hrithik Roshan as Major Kabir Dhaliwal "Kaboo"
- N. T. Rama Rao Jr. as Major Vikram Chelapathi "Raghu"
- Kiara Advani as Wing Commander Kavya Luthra, Colonel Luthra's daughter
- Ashutosh Rana as Colonel Sunil Luthra
- Dishita Sehgal as Ruhi, Kabir's adoptive daughter
- Anil Kapoor as Vikrant Kaul, Chief of RAW
- Varun Badola as Vilasrao Sarang
- Soni Razdan as Nafisa Rahmani, Khalid's mother (cameo appearance)
- Tiger Shroff as Captain Khalid Rahmani (flashback appearance)
- Bobby Deol (cameo appearance)
Production
Development
At the launch party of War in October 2019, director Siddharth Anand said he was working on a sequel and might turn it into a franchise if the audience liked it. In April 2023, Yash Raj Films officially confirmed War 2 as the sixth film in the YRF Spy Universe. Ayan Mukerji was chosen as the new director, replacing Anand. This was Mukerji’s first film in the Spy Universe and his first project outside Dharma Productions.
Casting
Shanoo Sharma handled the casting. Hrithik Roshan returned to play his role from War. N. T. Rama Rao Jr. joined in April 2023, marking his Hindi film debut. Kiara Advani joined in July 2023. Ashutosh Rana confirmed he would return as his character from War and Pathaan. Hrithik Roshan also appeared in a cameo in Tiger 3, directed by Mukerji. Anil Kapoor joined the cast in July 2024. Bobby Deol made a cameo in the post-credits scene, teasing his role in the next film, Alpha.
Filming
Shooting began in October 2023 in Salamanca, Spain, with a car chase scene. Because Hrithik Roshan and N. T. Rama Rao Jr. were busy with other films, stunt doubles were used for some scenes. In December 2023, filming moved to Abu Dhabi for a boat chase and other action scenes, including some at Yas Marina Circuit.
In March 2024, Roshan filmed his introduction scene in Mumbai, including a katana fight in a Shaolin Monastery-style set. In April 2024, Roshan and Rao shot an aerial action scene in Vile Parle. In August 2024, Advani filmed her introduction at Infiniti Mall, Malad.
In September 2024, the team filmed in Italy for 15 days in places like Venice, Lake Como, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast. These scenes included a song with Advani and Roshan and some action sequences. In October 2024, a large 40-man action sequence with Rao was shot in Andheri.
The climax was filmed in December 2024 at Film City and YRF Studios in Mumbai with multiple action directors involved. A big dance number with Roshan and Rao, choreographed by Bosco Martis and featuring over 500 dancers, was planned for March 2025 but postponed after Roshan injured his leg. It was later filmed in early July 2025, and Rao began dubbing that same month as filming wrapped up.
Soundtrack
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aavan Jaavan" | - | - | Arijit Singh, Nikhita Gandhi | 3:45 |
| 2 | "Janaab-e-Aali" | - | - | Sachet Tandon, Saaj Bhatt | 3:36 |
| Total length: | 7:21 | ||||
Release
Theatrical
War 2 will release in theaters on 14 August 2025, one day before India's Independence Day. It will be available in standard, IMAX, D-Box, ICE, 4DX, Dolby Cinema, and other premium formats, with dubbed versions in Telugu and Tamil. It will clash with Coolie. This is the first Indian film to be shown and graded in the Dolby Cinema format.
Distribution
Sithara Entertainments bought the film’s distribution rights for the Telugu states for ₹90 crore. Think Studios bought the distribution rights for Tamil Nadu.
Marketing
The teaser for the film was released on 20 May 2025, on Rao's 42nd birthday. It was criticized for poor visuals, low production quality, and weak action scenes. Some fans felt Rao was miscast. The teaser also faced backlash for promoting the release date as "This Independence Day – 14 August," which is Pakistan's Independence Day, raising questions about its suitability for a patriotic film. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma was condemned for posting an inappropriate comment about Advani’s bikini appearance in the teaser; he later deleted the post after public outrage. The official trailer came out on 25 July 2025, and a pre-release event was held on 10 August 2025 in Hyderabad.
Reception
Critical response
War 2 received mostly negative reviews from both critics and audiences, who criticized its story, screenplay, dialogues, and even the action. On Rotten Tomatoes, only 15% of 13 reviews were positive. Times Now (3/5) praised the acting, action, and dialogues but felt the second half was slow. Firstpost (2.5/5) said the film had too many pointless conversations and fights. Bollywood Hungama (2/5) called the screenplay clichéd, direction weak, and editing dragging, though it praised the visuals, action, and design. The Hindu said director Ayan Mukerji lost grip on the narrative while balancing Hrithik Roshan and NTR’s roles. News18 (2.5/5) liked the action but criticized the poor plot. Variety felt the film lacked excitement despite Roshan and NTR’s star power. The Indian Express (1.5/5) called it “a glossy snooze-fest.” India Today (2/5) said the action was unrealistic, the plot confused, and the music unimpressive. Cinema Express (1.5/5) called the movie unnecessary, formulaic, and made only to cash in on the franchise, with big stars and flashy action unable to make it engaging.
Box office
Sequel
Following the success of War (2019), director Siddharth Anand confirmed plans for a sequel. War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, was released on 14 August 2025, with Hrithik Roshan reprising his role as Kabir, alongside N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Kiara Advani. The sequel continues the action-packed YRF Spy Universe storyline.