The Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR starrer "War 2" has experienced a significant drop in its box office collections, particularly on its 16th day in theaters. According to early estimates, the film minted approximately ₹65 lakh net in India on its third Friday. This marks a considerable decline compared to its earlier earnings and highlights a struggle to maintain audience interest.

Initial Performance and Subsequent Decline:

"War 2" had a strong opening, earning ₹52 crore on its first day, driven by its Hindi and Telugu versions. The film's collections peaked on Day 2 with ₹57.85 crore, showing an 11.25% growth. However, the numbers began to decline sharply over the first weekend, with a 42% drop on Saturday (₹33.25 crore) and a further dip on Sunday (₹32.65 crore). The weekday trend saw a significant fall, with Monday plunging 73% to ₹8.75 crore. The first week concluded with an impressive ₹204.25 crore net in India. The second weekend saw a slight revival, with ₹4 crore on Friday, ₹6.85 crore on Saturday, and ₹7.25 crore on Sunday. However, weekdays again showed a decline, bringing the total to ₹230.56 crore by the end of the second week.

Day 15 and 16 Collections:

The downward trend continued into the third week. On Day 15 (second Thursday), the film managed to earn ₹1.19 crore (India net) across all languages, which was one of its lowest single-day totals since its release. By Day 16, the film's earnings had fallen further, with early estimates suggesting a collection of around ₹65 lakh net in India. This represents a 54.67% dip from the previous day.

Total Collection and Occupancy:

As of Day 16, "War 2" has amassed approximately ₹231.90 crore net in India. The Hindi version has contributed the majority of the earnings, with ₹173.15 crore across both weeks. In terms of occupancy, "War 2" recorded an overall 8.24% Hindi occupancy on Day 16. The Telugu version showed a slightly better occupancy of 13.10% on the same day.

Comparison with "Coolie" and "War" (2019):

In comparison, Rajinikanth's "Coolie," which was released on the same day as "War 2" (August 14), continues to lead with approximately ₹273 crore net. Both films have struggled with sustainability beyond their first week. While "War 2" plummeted from a ₹204 crore debut week to ₹27 crore in Week 2, "Coolie" also witnessed a steep slide, dropping from ₹229.65 crore in Week 1 to just ₹41.85 crore in Week 2.

When compared to its predecessor, the 2019 film "War" starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, "War 2" is lagging behind. In its first 14 days, "War" (2019) had collected ₹280.60 crore, while "War 2" accumulated ₹239.56 crore. Globally, "War 2" has grossed ₹358.68 crore, still needing over ₹108 crore to surpass the lifetime collection of "War" (₹466.82 crore).

Impact of New Releases:

The release of new films, such as Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor's "Param Sundari," appears to have impacted "War 2's" collections. "Param Sundari" opened stronger with an estimated ₹7.25 crore on Day 1, providing audiences with a new alternative.

OTT Release:

For cinephiles planning to watch "War 2" on OTT platforms, the movie is expected to arrive on Netflix after its theatrical run. While there is no official confirmation about the release date, it is anticipated that "War 2" may begin streaming anywhere between six to eight weeks after its theatrical debut, potentially around late September or early October.

Conclusion:

Despite a promising start, "War 2" has experienced a significant decline in its box office performance. The film's collections have fallen considerably in its third week, and it is struggling to maintain audience interest. The release of new films and mixed reviews have contributed to the film's downward trend. As "War 2" continues its theatrical run, it faces an uphill battle to sustain its earnings.