Hrithik Roshan Finally Breaks Silence on 'War 2' Failure: 'Everything Seemed So Perfect but...'
In a rare moment of reflection, Hrithik Roshan has publicly addressed the underwhelming performance of "War 2," the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 blockbuster "War". The film, which saw Roshan reprise his role as Kabir and also starred N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Kiara Advani, was expected to set the box office on fire but fell short of expectations.
Released on August 14, 2025, coinciding with the Indian Independence Day weekend, "War 2" aimed to capitalize on the success of its predecessor and the star power of its cast. However, the film received mixed-to-negative reviews, with critics pointing to a weak story, screenplay, and direction, despite praising the action sequences and cast performances.
The film's box office performance reflected this sentiment. While it had a record-breaking opening day, earning ₹75 crore in India, and surpassed ₹200 crore worldwide in its first week, it ultimately grossed an estimated ₹303-351 crore worldwide. This placed it as the third-highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025, but still a disappointment considering its massive budget of ₹300-400 crore.
Roshan took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the film, posting a series of pictures from the "War 2" set. "Playing Kabir was so much fun," he wrote. "So relaxed, knew him so well. It was going to be easy…Everything seemed so perfect. Like it's meant to be. A sure shot. No worries, just needed to do my job right. Which Ofcourse I did".
However, Roshan also hinted at a sense of unease he felt during the shoot. "But something was lurking behind that presumptuous certainty," he continued. "A voice that I kept shutting out. This is too easy... I know this too well". He further reflected on the internal conflict, acknowledging the allure of an effortless project while also recognizing the importance of pushing creative boundaries.
Trade analysts have weighed in on the reasons behind "War 2"'s failure to meet expectations. Taran Adarsh pointed to weak content as the primary issue, noting that negative word-of-mouth hampered the film's performance despite the Independence Day holiday. Vishek Chauhan cited genre fatigue as another factor, suggesting that audiences are growing tired of universe films and crossovers.
Some critics also pointed to Ayan Mukerji's direction as a potential weakness, with comparisons being drawn to Siddharth Anand's fast-paced execution in the original "War". However, others defended Mukerji, highlighting his previous successes and suggesting that the script was the main culprit.
Despite the film's shortcomings, Roshan's performance as Kabir received praise, with many acknowledging his screen presence and action skills. N. T. Rama Rao Jr.'s debut in the YRF Spy Universe was also celebrated, though some felt his role was not fully utilized.
The mixed response to "War 2" has sparked debate about the future of the YRF Spy Universe. While the franchise has enjoyed considerable success, the film's underperformance raises questions about the need for fresh content and execution to maintain audience interest.
As for Hrithik Roshan, he has several projects lined up, including "Krrish 4," which is slated for release in 2026. He is also set to make his debut as a producer with a web series for Amazon Prime Video, featuring Saba Azad, Alaya F, and Aashish Vidyarthi.
