Directing War 2 was a relishing opportunity to honour the first film, says Brahmastra director Ayan Mukerji

Mumbai/IBNS: Yash Raj Films’ upcoming action thriller War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced by Aditya Chopra, is set for a global theatrical release on August 14, 2025.
The film marks the sixth instalment in the successful YRF Spy Universe, known for its blockbuster hits, and promises a large-scale, pan-India cinematic experience.
Ayan Mukerji revealed how he focused entirely on crafting the storyline of War 2 because he wanted a conflict that was big enough to pit two icons of Indian cinema, Hrithik Roshan and NTR, against each other.
“It is a huge responsibility to take forward a hugely loved franchise like War and leave your mark on it. I saw directing War 2 as a relishing opportunity to give a hat-tip to the first film," said the Brahmastra director.
"You can’t have fun otherwise while coming on board such a huge blockbuster franchise. One has to take what has been set and then make the fans of the film and the fans of these gigantic superstars of our country go on a journey that is new and that hopefully leaves them hungry for more. As a director, I have to be honest; I immersed myself in delivering this feeling.”
“Everything about War 2 has been crafted with a lot of planning to elevate the theatrical experience of the audience. The maximum time was spent on the action set pieces and crafting the storyline and the conflict, which was needed to mount the face-off between Hrithik Roshan and NTR," he said.
“War 2 is truly the coming together of Indian cinema with these two huge actors joining forces."
"We were aware of the expectations this pairing would set in the minds of their fans and the audience, and every second was spent thinking of how to give them an experience of a lifetime when they sit in the theatres," he added.
In the teaser, spanning 1:34 minutes, Hrithik is seen coming back as Agent Kabir and locking horns with Telugu superstar Jr NTR.
After Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan, and Tiger 3, War 2 is the sixth YRF Spy Universe film to be released.