BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 30 - Ahead of the mega box office clash this Independence Day weekend, the theatrical runtimes for two of the biggest upcoming Indian films — YRF Spy Universe's War 2 and Rajinikanth-fronted Coolie — have reportedly been revealed, and the comparison is already making waves. ## The Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR, and Kiara Advani-starrer War 2 has reportedly been censored with a U/A certificate with an approved runtime of 2 hours and 53 minutes (173 minutes). War 2's runtime has beaten Salman Khan's Tiger Zinda Hai (162 minutes) to become the longest film in the YRF Spy Universe. ## Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the sequel is expected to be a high-octane cinematic experience that delves deeper into the emotional and espionage layers of the YRF Spy Universe. It also stars Kiara Advani alongside Anil Kapoor and others in key roles. ## On the other hand, Rajinikanth's Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is not far behind War 2 as it is reported to have a runtime of approximately 170 minutes (2 hours and 50 minutes). It received an A certificate from the CBFC, which makes it the first A-rated title for director Lokesh Kanagaraj. ## While slightly shorter, Coolie is expected to be packed with stylised action, Lokesh's signature dark world-building, and Rajinikanth's unmatched screen presence — ensuring no moment goes to waste. Coolie's tighter length could point to a sleek, relentless pace in keeping with Lokesh's successful formula from Vikram and Kaithi. ## With War 2 taking the lead in terms of runtime, fans are speculating whether this extra duration allows for deeper storytelling or more explosive action set-pieces involving two of Indian cinema's biggest stars — Hrithik and Jr. NTR. ## Both films are set for massive theatrical releases on August 14 and are among the most anticipated Indian movies globally. Whether audiences prefer the grandeur of a nearly three-hour spy saga or the tight punch of a gritty action drama, only time will tell which runtime delivers the bigger impact at the box office. ## Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 29 - Yash Raj Films' Saiyaara has officially become the highest-grossing Indian romantic drama film of all time, beating Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani-fronted Kabir Singh in just 11 days, while also crossing the 400 crores gross worldwide today. ## Starring debutante Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda, the modern-day love story has grossed approximately 394 crores at the worldwide box office through the second Monday (11 days), surpassing Kabir Singh's lifetime worldwide grosses of 377 crores, to emerge as the number 1 Indian love story. ## Saiyaara has been on a record-breaking run ever since the day it was released (July 18). It scored the biggest opening for a romantic as well as for a debutante, followed by the biggest opening weekend, and then opening weekend. Not only has it become the highest-grossing love story, but also emerged as the biggest grosser for a debutante. ## The latest blockbuster is miles ahead of Kabir Singh in like-for-like days. Kabir Singh, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, had managed an excellent 251 crore globally in its first 11 days — a figure that Saiyaara has surpassed by a staggering 143 crore in the same timeframe. This phenomenal lead underscores the magnitude of the new film’s box office dominance. ## With momentum fully on its side, the Mohit Suri's directorial is now on track to enter the coveted 500 crore club — potentially by the end of its second weekend. The film's storytelling, youthful vibe, soulful music, and wide family appeal have proven to be a winning formula, resulting in packed theatres and euphoric word-of-mouth across all demographics. ## Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 29 - Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is shaking up the Indian film distribution landscape with a historical move for his box office hit Sitaare Zameen Par. Although Aamir had already shared his plans regarding the future of his films, today, he confirmed the same. ## On Tuesday (July 29), the Dangal star announced that Sitaare Zameen Par will be released exclusively on YouTube Movies-on-Demand starting August 1. It will be available for rent at ₹100 ($1.15) in India and 38 international markets, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, Germany, and Indonesia, with localised pricing for each territory. ## Aamir Khan told Variety that his long dream has been to make films available to almost every household in the country, as the people who watch movies in theatres are only 2-3% of the total population. He believes that subscription models are not economically viable for films to do that, not over a long-term period, hence he is favouring YouTube's pay-per-view model. ## This is a major move regarding the film's post-theatrical distribution, which could make streaming platforms uncomfortable. To take this approach, Aamir Khan reportedly rejected the offer of 120 crores from a leading streaming platform to sell the post-theatrical rights. ## Aamir Khan said, "If a family of four sits and watches the film, then it comes to ₹25 per head, which I think is a value that works not just for the audiences, but also allows filmmakers to earn so they can make better content."## Directed by RS Prasanna and produced by Aamir Khan Films, Sitaare Zameen Par is a spiritual successor to Khan's 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, and also stars Genelia Deshmukh. It is an official remake of the 2018 Spanish film Champions, and follows a suspended basketball coach who must serve community service by helping a team of players with disabilities prepare for a tournament. ## Released on June 20, SZP has been a box office hit with the worldwide collection of around 270 crores gross. In India, the movie has made over 200 crores gross, while overseas collection is around 67 crores. The movie, meanwhile, will be available for pay-per-view streaming on YouTube after just 6 weeks of theatrical run. ## Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, July 29 - In the shocking turn of events, Kaleem Productions and Hombale Films' low-budget animated epic action drama Mahavatar Narsimha has stunned superstar Pawan Kalyan-fronted period action drama Hari Hara Veera Mallu at the domestic box office on their respective first Mondays. ## Released on July 25, the first chapter in the ambitious Mahavatar Cinematic Universe is rewriting the rules, registering a Monday collection (Day 4) of approximately 7.25 crore gross domestically, which is more than triple the 2.25 crore gross earned by Hari Hara Veera Mallu on its first Monday (Day 5). ## Even though there is no comparison between the two movies, as the scale and budget of Hari Hara Veera Mallu are much higher than the animated film, the former had a shocking collapse after an underwhelming opening weekend. This once again proved the power of word of mouth and the unpredictable, harsh reality of the box office. ## Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and A. M. Jyothi Krishna, Hari Hara Veera Mallu was envisioned as a grand period saga starring one of Telugu cinema’s biggest superstars. However, the film's inability to maintain momentum beyond the opening day highlights the fickle nature of box office performance and the increasing influence of word of mouth. In 5 days so far, the movie has grossed approximately 91 crores, after taking the opening of 55 crores domestically.## In stark contrast, Mahavatar Narsimha is turning out to be a sleeper success story. After opening at 2.10 crore gross, the film saw explosive weekend growth, collecting 19 crore in three days. The rock-solid Monday performance has taken its total to 26.25 crore gross in just four days. With strong legs and surging demand, the film is racing towards the 50 crore milestone — an incredible feat for an animated feature in India. ## Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Los Angeles, July 29 - In a huge achievement, director James Gunn's Superman has officially outgrossed Zack Snyder's Man of Steel at the North American box office and has become the highest-grossing solo Superman movie, cementing its place as a box office success. ## Director Zack Snyder's Man of Steel, released in 2013, earned approximately $291 million in North America. Though it marked the return of Superman to the big screen and introduced Henry Cavill in the titular role, the film received mixed reviews and divided fans with its darker tone. Despite a solid opening ($116 million), its box office momentum was lost. ## In contrast, James Gunn's reboot takes a more optimistic approach to the character, aligning more closely with Superman's classic portrayal. Featuring David Corenswet in the role of Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, the film has resonated well with audiences and critics alike. It has crossed $291 million as of today, edging past Man of Steel. ## At the worldwide box office, Superman has crossed $500 million and is heading towards finishing around $700 million, almost in the same range as Man of Steel, which earned $670 million globally in its lifetime run. Gunn's Superman serves as a fresh start to DC's cinematic universe under his co-leadership with Peter Safran, which has piqued audience interest and driven curiosity. ## Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, July 29 - Superstar musician Anirudh Ravichandar has lately been the voice of blockbuster films, not just with his music, but also with his reactions to them. Whenever he has felt good about his movies, he has reviewed them on social media with some fire emojis or other expressions of enthusiasm. ## Anirudh currently has two major projects scheduled for release in the next couple of weeks. First is Vijay Deverakonda's action thriller Kingdom on July 31st, followed by superstar Rajinikanth's hugely anticipated gangster action drama Coolie on August 14. ## While both movies carry positive buzz, everyone wants to know what the star musician thinks about them. Fortunately, Anirudh has watched both the movies and has some nice things to say about them. During a recent interview, he shared his thoughts on his next two projects. ## According to The Times of India, Anirudh revealed that he has nearly completed watching Coolie and described it as "ominous and superb". Expressing his enthusiasm for the film, Anirudh reportedly said that it will feature a new shade in storytelling and music. ## Speaking about Vijay Deverakonda's Kingdom, the Leo musician mentioned that he has seen about 30 to 40 minutes of the film, and he found it very promising, while appreciating the quality of the product. Meanwhile, producer Naga Vamsi said in an interview that after watching the film, Anirudh called him and expressed his happiness over it, stating that Kingdom will be a mass hit at the box office. ## About Coolie ## Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Sun Pictures, the film stars Rajinikanth in the lead role as Deva alongside Nagarajuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Sathyaraj, and Aamir Khan (cameo). The movie reportedly centres around an ageing gold smuggler named Deva, played by Rajinikanth, who reforms his old gang to take on a powerful gold smuggling empire. ## About Kingdom ## Directed by Jersey fame Gowtam Tinnanuri and produced by Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, Kingdom is reportedly a reincarnation drama that has Vijay Deverakonda in the lead role alongside Satyadev and Bhagyashri Borse. It is reportedly intended to be the first instalment of a planned duology. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

##The trailer for Kingdom, a pan‑India Telugu spy thriller starring Vijay Deverakonda, was released recently and has stirred considerable excitement. Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, the film features a potent background score by Anirudh Ravichander that has been widely praised for lending the trailer its electrifying and emotion-packed tone . ##Vijay Deverakonda, one of South India’s most celebrated actors, first shot to fame with films like Pelli Choopulu and Arjun Reddy. The Dear Comrade star is now back in the spotlight with his much-anticipated film Kingdom. The recently released trailer has sparked massive excitement among fans, who are eagerly looking forward to seeing their favourite star in action once again. ##In this high-octane thriller, Vijay takes on the role of an undercover agent infiltrating a criminal gang tied to his estranged brother—played by Satyadev. The story centers on duty, personal conflict, and strong brotherly bonds against a backdrop that includes Sri Lanka and powerful visuals and cinematography ##The teaser’s launch was marked by a well‑publicized event in Tirupati on July 26, 2025 during which the trailer was unveiled, further fueling anticipation.Reviews of the trailer emphasize the high emotional stakes, Vijay’s transformation into a "masala‑hero," the scale of action, and the intense music that punctuates every frame. ##Adding to the buzz, producer Naga Vamsi confirmed that Kingdom may be made as a two‑part narrative, suggesting a major cinematic investment and building higher expectations among fans.With its gripping storyline, stellar cast, and cinematic scale, Kingdom is shaping up to be one of the most awaited action thrillers of the year. As Vijay Deverakonda returns in a powerful new avatar, all eyes are on the film’s grand release on July 31, 2025. ##Whether it lives up to the massive buzz it has created remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: Kingdom is ready to rule the box office. ##Check out Vijay Devarakonda’s top 5 hits WorldWide Collection ##*Arjun Reddy(2017):50 crore worldwide gross ##*Geetha Govindam(2018):127 crore worldwide gross ##*Mahanati (2018):84 crore worldwide gross ##*Taxiwaala(2018):38 crore worldwide gross ##*Kushi(2023): 77.4 crore worldwide gross #KingdomTrailer - https://t.co/70qPfhfDyAWe built #Kingdom with fire in our hearts.A @gowtam19 action drama With An @anirudhofficial Score. Today, I give you the trailer.Let it hit you like it hit me.Love,Vijay. pic.twitter.com/mFMXwudqGn— Vijay Deverakonda (@TheDeverakonda) July 26, 2025

BY SACNILK TEAM

The Telugu theatrical rights for the highly anticipated Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie have been sold for a significant amount, reportedly around ₹53 crore, making it the highest ever for a dubbed film in Tollywood history. This is the 2nd biggest price for a Kollywood film after 2 Point O.  ##This deal was clinched by a collaboration of leading distributors: Asian Suniel Narang, Suresh Babu, and Dil Raju, who joined hands to share the cost.The extraordinary price reflects the immense buzz surrounding the film, driven by the powerful combination of Rajinikanth and director Lokesh Kanagaraj, along with a star-studded cast.  ##The film is slated for release on August 14, 2025, and its pre-release business is already making waves with record-breaking numbers.Right from the beginning, several leading Telugu film producers were vying for the film’s rights in the Telugu states, even though it faced stiff competition from NTR and Hrithik’s War 2. ##To achieve breakeven, Coolie needs to match the full run collections of Jailer in the Telugu states, aiming for a ₹100 crore gross. However, this target seems well within reach, thanks to the powerful combination of the lead actor and director, along with Anirudh’s chart-topping music. ##Building on Rajinikanth’s massive success in the Telugu regions with Jailer and the growing fan frenzy ahead of its August 14 release, trade analysts anticipate Coolie to register impressive opening-day collections and enjoy a broad theatrical release across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

BY SACNILK TEAM

The Telugu film trade is witnessing an intense pre-release clash — not between two local giants, but between two pan-Indian biggies: Rajinikanth’s Coolie and the Hrithik Roshan Jr. NTR starrer War 2. Both films, despite being non-Telugu originals, have created massive buzz and fetched record-breaking deals for their theatrical rights in the Telugu states. ##While Coolie has been acquired for a solid ₹53 crore, War 2 has reportedly been snapped up for a whopping ₹90 crore — a figure that makes it one of the highest pre-release deals ever for a dubbed film in the region. The buyers for Coolie, are a group of top distributors of Asian Multiplexes Pvt. Ltd (a distribution house involving Suniel Narang and D Suresh Babu, and Dil Raju) who battled it out, drawn by the unbeatable Rajini–Lokesh Kanagaraj combo and the ever-reliable Anirudh musical backing. For War 2, it’s none other than leading producer Naga Vamsi of Sithara Entertainments, betting big on Jr. NTR’s star power and the national reach of YRF’s spy universe. ##To break even, Coolie must replicate the kind of numbers Jailer delivered in its full run in the Telugu states — around ₹100 crore. However, with Rajinikanth’s unmatched mass appeal, Lokesh Kanagaraj’s box office consistency, and Anirudh’s music already trending, many believe this is an achievable target. Meanwhile, War 2 carries an even bigger burden. With a ₹90 crore rights tag, it will need to outperform even some of the biggest straight Telugu releases. However, the star combination of Jr. NTR and Hrithik Roshan, coupled with the brand power of YRF’s spy franchise, makes this film a sureshot theatrical event. ##What makes this comparison fascinating is not just the numbers — it’s the combination of factors: Coolie is driven by South Indian mass cinema rooted in style, punch, and fandom, while War 2 banks on a slick, high-stakes narrative with national appeal and star charisma from two industries. ##Trade circles are buzzing with debates. Will the raw, rooted charisma of Rajini in Coolie sweep Telugu audiences off their feet once again? Or will the mega-scale action extravaganza War 2 ride Jr. NTR’s Tollywood dominance to break records? ##One thing is certain: the Telugu box office is about to witness a pan-India face-off like never before. Fans, distributors, and trade watchers alike are counting down to what could be one of the most exciting showdowns of 2025.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 28 - Yash Raj Films' mega blockbuster Saiyaara scored an excellent second weekend at the domestic and worldwide box office. The romantic drama, starring debutante Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda, made it into the top 10 biggest 2nd weekends in Hindi, beating some of the all-time blockbusters in the list. ## Directed by Mohit Suri, Saiyaara minted 74.50 crores net collection over the second Friday to Sunday frame. On the second Friday, the movie scored 18 crores net, followed by 26.50 crores on Saturday, and 30 crores on Sunday. Worldwide, the film grossed approximately 120 crores in the second weekend. ## Domestically, Saiyaara scored the 8th biggest second weekend ever at the Hindi box office. It has beaten some of the all-time blockbusters like Dangal, Pathaan, Sanju, The Kashmir Files, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Tiger Zinda, KGF: Chapter 2, among others, to claim the spot. ## Top 10 Biggest Second Weekend Grosser In Hindi (Net Collection)S.N.Movie Title2nd Weekend Collection1Pushpa 2 (2024)₹ 127.00 Cr2Chhaava (2025)₹ 107.50 Cr3Stree 2 (2024)₹ 92.90 Cr4Gadar 2 (2023)₹ 90.54 Cr5Animal (2023)₹ 87.56 Cr6Jawan (2023)₹ 82.46 Cr7Baahubali 2 (2017)₹ 80.75 Cr8Saiyaara (2025)₹ 74.50 Cr9Dangal (2016)₹ 71.12 Cr10The Kashmir Files (2022)₹ 70.15 Cr## Saiyaara Near 400 Crores Worldwide ## At the end of the second weekend (10 days), Saiyaara grossed approximately 374 crores worldwide, including 297 crores domestically and 77 crores at the overseas box office. By tomorrow (2nd Tuesday), Saiyaara will enter the 400 crores gross club and become only the second Indian film of 2025 to do so, after Chhaava (808 crores gross). ## Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 28 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is on a roll with back-to-back films. He has already released three films so far, and there is one more, Jolly LLB 3, scheduled to hit the big screens this year. The actor has multiple films in the pipeline, including the talk of the town, Haiwaan, directed by Priyadarshan and co-starring Saif Ali Khan. ## Akshay will be portraying the negative role of a ruthless, cold-blooded killer against Saif Ali Khan, who plays a blind man in this crime thriller, after many years. The actor, known for his versatility across action, comedy, and socially conscious films, revealed during an interview with Hindustan Times that Haiwaan completes what he jokingly refers to as his "unintentional trilogy" after Insaan and Jaanwar. ## The upcoming film marks a long-awaited reunion between Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after 17 years. The reunion is creating quite a buzz in the industry, especially with Priyadarshan helming the project. The director-actor trio — Akshay, Saif, and Priyadarshan — has fans anticipating a gripping blend of action and drama. While it is unconfirmed, reports say that Haiwaan is the remake of Priyadarshan's Oppam, but with a darker, high-octane twist suited to Hindi cinema audiences. ## Interestingly, Akshay Kumar's role as the antagonist is a departure from his usual image, and he seems eager to embrace this change. In the interview, he emphasised that playing a villain offers him the creative challenge he's been looking for. "It's not just about being bad for the sake of it. There's a layered complexity to this character that I'm really excited to explore," he said. His fans, too, are looking forward to seeing him step into a villain avatar — a rarity in his recent filmography. ## Akshay humorously pointed out the difference in the comedic styles of his and Sai Ali Khan, saying, “Saif’s humour is very 'SoBo' (South Bombay), while mine is more Andheri and Borivali." The camaraderie between the two actors is also expected to be one of the film’s highlights. This difference, he believes, will make their on-set dynamic both fun and engaging. ## The shoot of Haiwaan will begin on August 23 in Cochin, with a theatrical release planned for 2026. ## Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, July 28 - Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan’s much-awaited period action drama Hari Hara Veera Mallu has officially crossed the 100 crore gross mark at the worldwide box office. However, despite hitting this major milestone, the film's performance over its extended four-day opening weekend has been widely regarded as underwhelming. ## Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and A. M. Jyothi Krishna, the film was released amid massive hype and fan frenzy, which translated into a record-breaking opening day for the superstar. But the euphoria was short-lived. The movie started shrinking afterwards due to poor reviews and word of mouth. ## HHVM had all the makings of a blockbuster — a mass hero in a grand avatar, period setting, wide promotions and a big opening, which ideally should have helped it to top the 100 crore mark on its second day itself, but that wasn't the case, as it took the complete 4-day extended weekend (plus paid premiere) to get there. ## While the film did register a slight upward trend on Saturday and Sunday, the sharp drop on Friday was too steep to recover from. This abrupt fall halted any chance of a stable box office trajectory. ## What Is Next For Hari Hara Veera Mallu? ## There were criticisms of the VFX and the runtime of the movie, which led to its downfall. The makers have reportedly uploaded the updated version in cinemas worldwide. However, the rebound seems extremely difficult from hereon, as the negative word of mouth has already spread all across. ## The weekday audience profile will shift significantly compared to the fan-dominated weekend crowd. Unless there's a miraculous word-of-mouth turnaround, it seems unlikely that Hari Hara Veera Mallu will be able to sustain enough momentum to reach its break-even mark of 225 crore worldwide gross. ## Stay tuned...