Indian Movie
Coolie vs War 2 vs Dhumketu: Which Movie Tops Advance Booking Charts?
Box office currents are already surging, with ‘Coolie’, ‘War 2’, and ‘Dhumketu’ drawing fierce attention ahead of their clash. All three storm theatres on August 14, 2025, carrying the same action thriller essence, yet each fused with its own distinct flavour. Early buzz hints at a seismic showdown in presales. Let’s see how the numbers shape this cinematic battlefield.
Rajinikanth-Aamir Khan’s Coolie
A Tamil action spectacle, ‘Coolie’ comes under the vision of director Lokesh Kanagaraj and the banner of Sun Pictures, led by producer Kalanithi Maran.
The cast is a powerhouse, uniting Rajinikanth, Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, and Upendra in commanding roles.
The story steps into a coastal port town ruled by a corrupt syndicate, where coolies endure relentless patterns of mistreatment and hardship. A mysterious man rises against their oppressors, challenging the system’s grip with unyielding resolve.
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Hrithik Roshan-NTR Jr.’s War 2
Directed by Ayan Mukerji and backed by Aditya Chopra’s Yash Raj Films, War 2 continues the adrenaline-fueled legacy of the YRF Spy franchise. It follows directly from the events of War (2019), raising the stakes for the franchise.
Hrithik Roshan, N. T. Rama Rao Jr., and Kiara Advani headline the film, joined by Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor.
The plot thrusts rogue agent Kabir into a dark new place, making him India’s most dangerous adversary. To stop him, the nation unleashes its deadliest weapon – Agent Vikram.
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Dev-Subhashree’s Dhumketu
Blending intense action with romance, Dhumketu is crafted by Kaushik Ganguly, who serves as both writer and director. The production is led by Rana Sarkar and Dev under Dag Creative Media and Dev Entertainment Ventures.
Dev stars alongside Subhashree Ganguly, reuniting with her after their memorable pairing in Khoka 420 (2013).
The narrative follows a tea estate manager in the hills who faces unemployment amid a crisis, struggling with limited means to sustain himself. Determined, he fights through financial hardship to rebuild his life.
The journey of the film itself has been turbulent, as filming began in October 2015 and wrapped in January 2017. Production then stalled for years due to unforeseen hurdles. After nearly nine years, the project has been revived and completed, sparking fresh anticipation among audiences.
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Coolie, War 2, and Dhumketu Face Off in Advance Booking Race
Advance ticket sales for ‘Coolie’ ignited global momentum the moment they opened on 22 July. In the United States, Rs. 15 lakh (USD 18,000) worth of tickets disappeared within minutes. Dallas alone saw 600 seats snapped up instantly. The North American market responded with remarkable speed—over 10,000 tickets sold in just a few days, covering 438 shows.
By 25 July, international pre-sales had already crossed Rs. 2.5 crore amounting to USD 300,000. The figure climbed to Rs. 4.2 crore (USD 500,000) within three days. As of 31 July, earnings touched Rs. 5.9 crore, equivalent to USD 700,000. Trade analysts confidently predicted the Rs. 8.5 crore (USD 1 million) mark would fall, and it did – boosted by the trailer release on 2 August. With these numbers, ‘Coolie’ cemented its position among the highest-grossing Indian films in North American advance sales history.
Three days before release, ‘Coolie’ maintained a clear lead over ‘War 2’ in North America. The Tamil and Telugu versions together accounted for 73,228 tickets (USD 1.86 million), from 500 locations and 1,565 shows. In comparison, ‘War 2’ had moved 16,226 tickets, earning USD 435,000 from 763 locations and 1,977 shows.
In India, the contrast remained striking. ‘War 2’ recorded Rs. 4.71 crore in advance bookings (Rs. 9.1 crore including block seats), covering 1,44,081 tickets across 8,716 shows. Meanwhile, ‘Coolie’ had already crossed Rs. 20 crore in pre-sales.
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Yet, an unexpected twist came from West Bengal. Here, the Bengali movie ‘Dhumketu’ disrupted the pattern, delivering a spirited challenge to both big-budget rivals. As of Monday, 11 August, 11:00 am, it had sold nearly 21,000 tickets, and demand kept climbing by the hour. ‘War 2’, by contrast, had sold around 5,500 tickets in the state.
The response to ‘Dhumketu’ left its makers astonished. Several shows across West Bengal, especially in Kolkata, were either filling fast or nearly sold out. This surge was extraordinary for a film that completed production 9-10 years ago. Delays often dull a movie’s appeal, yet here, anticipation has only intensified. Audiences know the film’s long journey, but that hasn’t dimmed their enthusiasm. In fact, it has made this moment feel historic.
Verdict
‘Coolie (2025)’, ‘War 2 (2025)’, and ‘Dhumketu (2025)’ are steering toward a box office clash with distinct momentum in their favour. While ‘Coolie’ dominates globally and in most Indian territories, ‘War 2’ maintains steady traction in its key markets. In West Bengal, ‘Dhumketu’ has defied expectations, capturing audience excitement despite its decade-old production. Each film carries its own pull, shaping a dynamic and unpredictable race. However, the post-release showdown will decide who truly owns the stage.
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3 months ago
Sardaarji 3: First Look of the Horror Comedy Echoes ‘Stree’
Chart-topper punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh continues to expand his cinematic journey. Known for his landmark appearance at Coachella, this globally recognised actor remains a defining figure in contemporary entertainment. He now returns with the next installment of his widely popular horror comedy franchise. Titled ‘Sardaarji 3,’ the upcoming film is slated for release on June 27, 2025. The recently revealed first look has already sparked comparisons to a well-known genre hit. Let’s break down the poster and its nationwide fans' reaction.
‘Sardaarji 3’ Poster Teases Vibes of ‘Stree’
Diljit Dosanjh took to Instagram to announce his next big-screen outing with a motion poster reveal. At the centre stands Diljit, wearing his signature grin, while a circle of veiled women surrounds him. Their faces hidden under traditional ghoonghats add an eerie stillness to the otherwise vibrant frame. The setup hints at an offbeat ride packed with energy, humour, and a fantastical edge.
Viewers were quick to pick up on the familiarity. The imagery sparked instant comparisons with ‘Stree’ (2018), known for blending supernatural suspense with quirky charm. From the veiled female figures to the comedic undertone, the parallels felt unmistakable.
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Diljit’s caption deepened that impression. He playfully hinted that ghosts might shiver and witches could demand kisses. He sums it all up with three simple cues: goosebumps, laughter, and love. His words suggest a chaotic mix of romance, comedy, and spooky fun, much like Stree’s winning formula.
Audience Reaction
The unveiled poster has stirred anticipation across social media. Its eerie composition hints at more than just light-hearted fun. Shadows, mystery, and hidden identities suggest a darker twist woven into the familiar comic framework.
The poster marks a significant moment for the beloved Punjabi franchise’s third chapter. The announcement came with the promise of an upcoming teaser, further intensifying the buzz.
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With visuals pointing to a ghostly edge, audiences are now awaiting what appears to be a bold return to the genre’s spooky roots.
A Brief Journey to the Sardaarji franchise
The franchise began its journey in 2015 with a mix of fantasy, horror, and comedy, an unusual blend for Punjabi cinema at the time. Directed by Rohit Jugraj, the first installment starred Dosanjh, Neeru Bajwa, and Mandy Takhar in key roles. Its imaginative storyline and genre-defying tone marked it as one of the pioneering fantasy ventures in the regional film industry.
The second chapter arrived just a year later, in 2016. Though set in the same universe, it functioned as a standalone sequel. Dosanjh took on a triple role, showcasing his comic timing and screen presence with support from Monica Gill and Sonam Bajwa. Rohit Jugraj Chauhan returned to direct, continuing the blend of absurdity and thrill that defined the original.
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The upcoming third part signals a new chapter with director Amar Hundal taking the reins. The cast expands to include familiar and fresh faces: Neeru, Manav Vij, Saleem Albela, Nasir Chinyoti, and Monica Sharma.
Initial speculation surrounded the involvement of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. Dosanjh later addressed it quietly, indicating her absence from the project.
Adding to the anticipation is the reunion of Dosanjh and Neeru, coming on the heels of their recent success ‘Jatt & Juliet 3’ (2024). Their dynamic has consistently drawn audiences, and their return promises yet another engaging on-screen pairing.
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Wrap Up
‘Sardaarji 3’ first look vibing Stree's horror comedy sparked instant excitement. Audiences responded with enthusiasm as the poster teased suspense and humour. While Hania Aamir’s rumoured role was ruled out, Neeru Bajwa returns, reprising her part from the original film. With Diljit Dosanjh at the centre, the franchise gears up for another thrilling entry. The film series is poised to bear an influential imprint on the Punjabi film industry.
5 months ago
Indian Movie RRR’s Success at Golden Globe 2023
Indian films are popular around the world for their versatile storylines, bold acting performances, wonderful music, exotic dance choreographies, and talented cinematographies. In the 80th edition of this prestigious Golden Globes awards festival, the Indian film RRR has made its place in two categories. Let's take a closer look at the action film RRR and its success at the Golden Globes 2023 festival.
Golden Globes Awards: A Look Back
An organization of journalists and photographers called the HFPA (Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association), formerly known as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association founded the Golden Globe Awards in 1944. Their aim is to honor the valuable works of small and big screens around the world.
The awards ceremony was held at 20th Century Fox that year, with The Song of Bernadette winning Best Picture. Jennifer Jones won Best Actress for the film and Paul Lucas won Best Actor for another movie Watch on the Rhine.
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The Golden Globe awards for foreign language films began in 1949 with the awarding of the Italian film Bicycle Thieves. And the Best Original Song debuted as a new category in 1962. Lyricist Ned Washington and music scorer Dimitri Tiomkin were honored at the time for the title song of the movie Town Without Pity.
Everything about the Incredible Action Film RRR
The film's title is derived from the initials of the Telugu words "Raudram Ranam Rudhiram" which literally means "Fierce Death Blood". And the original title is followed by the words "Rise Roar Revolt" in English, abbreviated as RRR, and the key to the movie's plot.
The epic action film was directed by renowned South Indian filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli. Along with him, V Vijayendra Prasad co-wrote the DVV Entertainment production. The film's cast members are NT Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgan, Shriya Sharan, Ray Stevenson, and Samuthirakani.
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The story is about two real-life Indian revolutionaries, Komaram Bheem and Aluri Sitarama Raju. Set in the 1920s, the plot revolves around their fictional brotherhood and friendship and their war against the British Empire.
With a budget of USD 72 million, the movie is the most expensive film by far in Indian history. On its first day of release in theaters on March 25, 2022, it recorded the highest opening day by grossing USD 30 million worldwide.
A few box office records were attached to its name grossing USD 175 million worldwide. The main achievements were the third-highest-grossing Indian cinema, the second-highest-grossing Telugu film worldwide, and the highest-grossing movie in the domestic market, beating Rajamouli's previous film Baahubali-2.
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RRR’s Achievements in Golden Globe
The two categories that RRR was nominated for at the Golden Globes were Best Picture Non-English Language (formerly Foreign Language) and Best Song – Motion Picture.
RRR's co-nominees for Best Foreign Language Film were Argentina, 1985, Germany's All Quiet on the Western Front, Netherlands, France, Belgium's Close, and South Korea's Decision to Leave. RRR lost out to Argentina, in 1985, like the rest of the nominees.
On the other hand, for Best Song – Motion Picture, RRR's MM Kiravani, and Chandra Bose were up against Roeban Katz, Guillermo del Toro, Rihanna, Ludwig Goransson, Bloodpop aka Michael Tucker, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift. Keeravani and Chandra Bose beat everyone to win this award for the song Natoo Natoo.
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Not only at the box office, but the film's visuals, acting by the lead actors, storytelling, and cinematography have also been praised by Western audiences, Hollywood critics, and artists alike. After conquering the world, RRR was finally released in a few major states of the United States.
The response from the western audience has been remarkable, especially the Natu Natu song, Jr. NTR's attack scene with the animals has won their hearts. All in all, the Indian action film has been able to overcome the barrier of a completely different language to create an impression in the mind of every viewer.
2 years ago