The much-anticipated sequel War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, has locked in its release date: August 14, 2025. Yash Raj Films (YRF), the studio behind the project, confirmed the news by re-sharing a fan-made video on their official X handle, cheekily hinting at the chaos to come in cinemas even before the movie’s promotions have officially begun.
Directed by Ayan Mukerji, War 2 is the follow-up to the 2019 blockbuster War, which featured Hrithik Roshan alongside Tiger Shroff. In this sequel, Roshan reprises his role as Major Kabir Dhaliwal, and joining him is Jr NTR in a pivotal role. Kiara Advani also stars in the film. Ayan Mukerji, with his last release Brahmastra, steps into the director’s seat this time, taking over from Siddharth Anand, who directed the first film.
War 2 is not just another action thriller though. It’s the sixth instalment in YRF’s expanding Spy Universe, which kicked off in 2012 with Ek Tha Tiger. Since then, the franchise has delivered Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan, and Tiger 3. More titles are in the works, including Pathaan 2, Tiger vs Pathaan, and Alpha, a female-led spy thriller featuring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari.
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Speculation was rife about War 2 facing delays, especially after reports of Hrithik’s knee injury surfaced. However, YRF’s announcement put those rumours to rest. Interestingly, War 2 was initially set to clash at the box office with Rajinikanth’s Coolie during the Independence Day weekend. After discussions, both camps have reportedly decided to avoid a head-on collision, with Coolie likely to arrive on a different date.
The collaboration between Jr NTR and Ayan Mukerji has also sparked a lot of curiosity. Jr NTR admitted in an earlier interview that their creative processes are very different. He prefers improvisation, while Mukerji leans on detailed prep. Despite these differences, the team seems to have found a working balance.
Director Ayan Mukerji brings together Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani in YRF’s high-octane spy thriller War 2Instagram/Warthefilm
As for the film’s connection to the wider spy universe, fans are eagerly hoping for cameos from other characters like Tiger and Pathaan, potentially setting the stage for the long-awaited Tiger vs Pathaan film.
With a release just ahead of Independence Day, War 2 is expected to be a major crowd-puller, continuing YRF’s run of high-stakes spy sagas.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.