Coolie v/s War 2 in USA / Rashmika to Play Bad Girl in Allu Arjun - Atlee A6

  The USA market has become a crucial battleground for both “Coolie” and “War 2,” which are set to release on August 14, 2025, with premiere shows scheduled a day earlier across North America.With two major star-studded films clashing, the premiere show revenues are expected to take a hit, as both films largely target the same core audience base.

Rajinikanth is known as the undisputed king of openings, with his films traditionally performing exceptionally well in premiere shows. On the other hand, NTR’s last outing “Devara” grossed an impressive $2.7 million from its premieres in the U.S. With Hrithik Roshan also leading “War 2,” expectations are high that this film could surpass Devara’s premiere numbers. However, the strong competition from “Coolie” might dampen those prospects.

Yash Raj Films (YRF), the production house behind War 2, has secured deals for IMAX screens, which could boost revenues—provided the turnout is strong.

Hrithik Roshan and NTR’s War 2 is all set to shatter all Bollywood records at the box office. Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan stands as the biggest opener for Bollywood with a 130 Cr gross on day 1.

War 2 is estimated to take 175 Cr+ to start at the global box office. No Bollywood film has collected 100 Cr net on day 1, but this spy action drama War 2 is expected to achieve this because, from the Hindi and Telugu markets in India alone, it can take 100 Cr+ opening.

The team plans grand promotions and will start them soon. The Ayan Mukerjee directorial is likely to take the buzz to the next level with the promotions.

Shoubin shakes a leg with Pooja Hegde in Monica for Coolie.War 2 is estimated to take 175 Cr+ to start at the global box office. No Bollywood film has collected 100 Cr net on day 1, but this spy action drama War 2 is expected to achieve this because, from the Hindi and Telugu markets in India alone, it can take 100 Cr+ opening.

The team plans grand promotions and will start them soon. The Ayan Mukerjee directorial is likely to take the buzz to the next level with the promotions.

Rashmika Mandanna has been cast to play the negative lead of A6. Reliable sources confirmed the development to Bollywood Hungama saying, "Rashmika had the choice to play the negative lead in either A6 or another big Pan India film. After hearing both the roles, the actress had to make a tough call but she decided to come on board Atlee's next, as the character allowed her the chance to explore the uncharted territories."

Rashmika has already done her look test for A6 and is looking to start shooting for it from the month of October. "Rashmika has paid a visit to LA with director Atlee and Allu Arjun. She was bowled over by the pre-viz for her character and is super excited to work with one of the biggest directors of modern era - Atlee. The antagonist turn for Rashmika in an Allu Arjun film is also a departure from their last two collaboration on Pushpa franchise."

We hear that Rashmika will have fierce face-off sequences with all the members of the star-cast ranging from Allu Arjun to Deepika Padukone, Mrunal Thakur and Janhvi Kapoor. The film is presently on floors and will hit the big screen in 2027. It's the biggest film of Indian Cinema, with multiple international artists working on to create the 'Avatar' of India.

RRR Team returns and singer Kala Bhairavaa upsets Ram Charan - NTR Jr fans

 Today, March 17, Udhayanidhi Stalin's 'Kannai Nambathey' has hit theatres. Having retired from his career as an actor and producer, he has now moved into politics. As an MLA of the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, he recently became the Minister of Sports, putting an end to his 11-year career in the film industry. Stalin has stated that he will not act anymore or allow his production house to use his name. In a recent interview, he emphasized the importance of socio-political movies in Tamil cinema and expressed his belief that socially conscious films should have a special place. He also stressed the need for stronger women-centric roles in films. His last film, 'Maamanan', directed by Mari Selvaraj, is set to release this year and he has described it as a highly intense political drama that viewers should watch out for.

RRR team back and singer Keeravani son gets rolled Ram Charan and NTR Jr fans

Kaala Bhairava recently took to Twitter to express gratitude to everyone who made his performance with Rahul Sipligunj at the Oscars 2023 stage possible as the RRR team returned to India. However, his thank you note triggered a controversy as he did not mention the names of lead actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan. Fans of the actors noticed this and trolled Kaala Bhairava. The singer quickly apologized on Twitter, clarifying that he was only thanking those who helped him get the opportunity for the academy stage performance and that he has no doubt that Jr NTR and Ram Charan were the reason for the success of the song 'Naatu Naatu' and RRR itself. He apologized for any misunderstanding caused by his choice of words.

On March 15, Jr NTR returned home to Hyderabad while Ram Charan was spotted at Delhi airport this morning after the RRR song 'Naatu Naatu' won big at the Oscars 2023. The actor will be attending a media summit in Delhi before heading back to his home in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, director SS Rajamouli, music composer MM Keeravaani, and lyricist Chandrabose were seen at Hyderabad airport this morning, March 17.

Documentary producer Guneet Monga landed at the Mumbai airport after the historic win in Los Angeles.

Ram Charan - Jr NTR - Prabhas jittery after Pushpa AP collection

 

Pushpa four day collection share for distributors in Andhra Pradesh region has shocked `Pan Indian' Telegu film producers of RRR ( Ram Charan- Jr NTR) and Prabhas ( Radhe Shyam).  Truth is that these `Pan Indian' films cannot wish away Andhra region just like Bollywood cannot win without Maharashtra ( Mumbai) box office collections. The low shares are due to Jagan ministry strictures on movie halls and dizzy prices that film was bought according to film trade. 

After the initial euphoric opening and the storm raised in box office, dust has settled on fourth day and reflects the future mood of the general public. 60 % of the film trade or collections has to come from Andhra region. The data shows that Andhra distributors have so far got a share of 40% of the amount that they bought for. The film was sold for Rs 62 crores before the Jagan ministry issued a GO reducing ticket prices. After haggling, it was reduced to Rs 51 crore. 

The trade puts the total collections in Andhra at Rs 60 crores for 4 days. This minus the GST and theater rental- publicity, share would come to nearly Rs 25 crores . Producers had agreed that they would compensate the GST paid by distributors, if the share of collections fall below the expected mark.  If this happens, the producers takeaway from Andhra would be  Rs 30- 35 crores as they would have to give  back around Rs 20 crores by way of GST compensation. Nizam that went for Rs 35 crores has done extremely well with 3 day share alone being Rs 25 crore range and showing no sign of drop. CEDED areas ( Kurnool- Kadappa- Chitoor- Antapur) sold for Rs 16 crores has in 3 days given Rs 8-9 crores share.

Much euphoria was generated about Mumbai and North India collections. Film was sold for Rs 20 crores. After 4 days, Hindi nett ( total not share) is Rs  15 crores. On 4th day Hindi belt collection was Rs 2.98 cr. In Tamil, film was sold for Rs  7 crore and four day Nett was Rs 8.81 crore and likely the distributor might lose some money.. In Kerala, E4 minus Malayalam print on Day 1 and in four days got a Nett of Rs 7 cr and they bought it for Rs 5 crore. E4 might scrape through as collections are not that bad enough on Day 4 and has no Malayalam film of any worth as opposition.

AP CM Jagan  stopped  fan shows - charity shows and unrestricted screenings on the ground that these practices were creating black money and evasion of tax to local bodies, Apart from this,  collections  were not accounted and box office figures given out were not authenticated. Next blow is that a GO says that all theaters should install a software created by AP government to sell tickets and money gained from this App will be in treasury. After service charges , the collections will be credited to movie halls. It is to bring real box office figures.

 Akhanda ( Balakrishna) was a money spinner for Andhra distributors as it was reasonably priced. The producers expected trouble from Jagan and sold it accordingly. The anti- Jagan posturing by Balayya  just before release managed to  rustle up TDP workers and anti- Jagan  viewers to turn out in large numbers . Nani's Shyama Singha Roy ( about reincarnation) is next release.

Quiz shows from today to woo Telly viewers

 From today onwards, it is the season of Quiz shows – at least for many in the Hindi- Telegu and Malayalam TV viewers. Today we have Big B coming on Sony. Gemini TV, SUN TV Network’s Telugu GEC Channel is all set to broadcast ‘Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu’ by actor Jr NTR. ‘AnchinoduInchodinchu’–Malayalam version of the successful international format show “ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER” starts today on Surya TV with Suresh Gopi. Already you have at the same time band, a quiz show Oru Kodi with Flowers TV host Sreekantan Nair. 

KBC comes with a steady loyal viewership and a host Big B . Now that is not enough in times of pandemic. The curtain raiser promo, Amitabh Bachchan can be heard introducing Gyaanraj. It is to be noted that Gyaanraaj is part of a team consisting of 100 scientists that work as advisors for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. That takes care of the Modi Bhakths as well. Channel publicists have been active as media picked up a year back old FB post of the first winner of KBC who wrote about his squandering of Rs 5 cr prize money on business as he wanted to tell journalists that he was a successful investor. Now KBC is into the 13 th year and this year the ad volume rates are very low. Even the Tokyo Olympics ad revenue took a dip. 

Moving to South. Here the two shows starting today (Aug 23) has a time slot that takes a direct face off with all favorite soaps of the rivals and leaves the weekends open for other shows to fight it off. The truth is that Surya in Kerala and Gemini in AP/TS are two crosses that the successful Sun Network has been bearing. Now pitching these two shows at 8.30 PM, it sorts of hopes to neutralize the soaps of the rival channels. The marketing guys in TV ad world says that a survey conducted post Covid 10 1 Phase says that men audience are game to sitting at home and watching quiz shows or any reality show (other than the beaten to death singing- dancing reality ones) and so also the woman and kids. 

Though no one has the name of the agency who conducted the survey, TV addicts in Kerala and AP/TS say that as such the serials in top channel in these two States in 8.30 PM are boring. Flowers TV funded by chit fund owner Gokulam Gopalan who has invested his money (or investors?) in many biz and also has a stake in the Ezhava politics is pumping money to make it the top GEC.  Sreekantan Nair or SK who drives the channel GEC and news 24 Hours is inching closer to Asianet .  Flowers TV soaps not being able to make a dent, SK put Oru Kodi quiz show at Mon- Wednesday 8.30 PM and this was a new move. Such shows came only at weekends or Mon- Friday. It was a move to break the TRP rating hold, says Ad guys, 

Surya TV guys now pitched their Quiz show at same time- same days. Now Suresh Gopi the actor – BJP RS MP has been a successful TV host and his one liner at early shows are still popular. To give a curtain raiser, we get Kunchacko Boban, youth icon as first contestant. Moving to Andhra/TS, Jr NTR is an actor whose stronghold is in rural areas. Here the ball game has a new meaning. These two States are the ones that beat all fears of exhibitors when theaters opened after the first wave and second wave. A robust theater going public is intact. Even some films that would have flopped pre- Covid time were hits. 

Gemini then adds yet another film celeb – Tammannah Bhatia as host to Master Chef show starting at August 27th - Friday- Saturday 8.30 PM. It has decided to puta new serial at 8 PM- Sundari and Kaviyanjaali at 9.30 PM – Monday – Saturday. 

For a film crazy State add a curtain raiser of Ram Charan (top draw and member of Chiranjeevi clan) coming as celeb contestant is ultimate.  The blockbuster formula is ready to unleash. Here the TV viewers did plump in a big way for Bigg Boss hosted by actor Nagarjuna (appears at weekends). It was on Star. In Kerala, Mohanlal and Lalettan magic waned in the just concluded BB show on Asianet. In Tamil, Sun will have to face Zee coming with Survivor reality show and the next edition of Big Boss in Star Vijay hosted by Kamal Haasan.  

Now we will have to wait and see whether the serial makers formula makes more money for tv channels  or the quiz masters.  As if competition to theaters from OTT was not enough, BB Hindi has a OTT version .