When Anticipation Turns to Fatigue: War 2 and Coolie Show the Limits of Indian Blockbuster Spectacle

Frontline
Frontline
4M ago
Ayan Mukerji’s War 2 and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie, highly anticipated films, failed to meet expectations, earning only from their star power.
When Anticipation Turns to Fatigue: War 2 and Coolie Show the Limits of Indian Blockbuster Spectacle
A What happened
Ayan Mukerji’s War 2 and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie were highly anticipated releases this Independence Day, but both films failed to resonate with audiences, earning only from their established star power. War 2, part of Yash Raj Films’ 'Spy Universe,' featured Hrithik Roshan and Junior NTR, while Coolie aimed to reignite Rajinikanth's fan base. Despite extensive marketing and multi-language releases, both films suffered from excessive runtime and narrative issues. Critics noted that the films lacked the engaging qualities of earlier works by the directors, leading to a disappointing cinematic experience. The films' interruptions and pacing issues detracted from their potential, resulting in a lack of connection with viewers.

Key insights

  • 1

    High Expectations: Both films were heavily marketed and anticipated.

  • 2

    Star Power: The films relied on their star casts for box office draw.

  • 3

    Narrative Issues: Critics pointed out pacing and coherence problems.

Takeaways

The disappointing performance of both films highlights the challenges of meeting audience expectations in a competitive cinematic landscape.

Topics

Entertainment Movies & TV Cultural Trends

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