War 2 controversy: Why Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR¡¯s film is releasing on 14 August, and it is not what you think

Soon after the teaser of War 2 dropped earlier this week, the internet has been buzzing with claims that the makers are releasing the film on Pakistan¡¯s Independence Day i.e. 14th August. But the truth is far less dramatic. Like many big-budget films, War 2 is simply targeting the long Indian Independence Day weekend, a strategic move that Bollywood has followed for years, and definitely not a political statement.

What is War 2¡¯s release date controversy?

When the teaser for War 2 dropped, the internet should have been talking about Hrithik Roshan¡¯s high-octane return, Jr NTR¡¯s powerful presence, or Kiara Advani¡¯s blink-and-you-miss-it cameo. But instead, one small detail ended up stealing the spotlight, the release date: 14 August.

War 2 is celebrating pakistani independence day @yrf thuuu pakistani na kodaka ?
Aug 14 evari independence day raa pooka @yrf pic.twitter.com/nei7i0t9Sw

¡ª padhaachuskundhaam (@Sigmabaabu) May 22, 2025

The Movie War 2 is Coming this Independence Day

But the Date given on the Trailer of the Movie is 14th August which is Independence Day of Pakistan

Another Example that Bollywood Loves Pakistan! pic.twitter.com/X3G4PXd7DB

¡ª The Jaipur Dialogues (@JaipurDialogues) May 22, 2025

Cue the confusion. Social media quickly latched on to the idea that the film was choosing to release on Pakistan¡¯s Independence Day, leading to speculation, memes, and even outrage about whether Bollywood was ¡°celebrating the wrong country¡¯s freedom.¡±

However, it¡¯s certainly not what many are assuming. An industry source said, ¡°All big films are strategically released around major festivals and national holidays. It is not about the exact date, it is about the long weekend window and the potential for a longer box office footfalls. Whether it is Independence Day, Republic Day, Eid, Diwali or Christmas, the release date is usually aligned with the surrounding weekend.¡±

War 2 release date

In short: War 2 is releasing on 14 August because it is the Wednesday before India¡¯s Independence Day, 15 August, which gives it a five-day opening window. This is a tried-and-tested formula in the Hindi film industry, where Friday releases are often pre-poned to Wednesdays or Thursdays to maximise holiday footfall.

In fact, examples are everywhere. Films like Rustom, Ek Tha Tiger, and Gadar 2 have all released on or just before Independence Day, not necessarily on the 15th.

Even Christmas releases like Dangal and Dhoom 3 came out on dates like 21st or 23rd December, not the 25th, but were still branded as "Christmas releases."

However, whether this strategy helps the War 2¡¯s box office reception or not, only time will tell. Produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Ayan Mukerji, War 2 is set to release across Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.