7 days ago
Nagarjuna's Coolie vs NTR's War 2 Release — Tollywood Braces For Showdown
The ever-charismatic Nagarjuna is back in the spotlight, continuing the proud Akkineni legacy in his own stylish way, still winning hearts and making headlines. While today's generation may associate him with films like Bangarraju (2022) and Naa Saami Ranga (2024), there was a time when audiences were truly smitten with his earlier works.
While he may not have ignited a frenzy among the entire family audience, Nagarjuna Akkineni has long been a favourite, especially among women who admired his charm and charisma. Now comfortably into his sixties, his allure remains as potent as ever.
Nagarjuna continues to stay in demand with a string of back-to-back projects. He recently shared the screen with Dhanush in Kubera (2025), delivering a memorable performance as Deepak. His upcoming film, Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Rajinikanth, is set for release on August 14. With considerable pre-release excitement and extensive promotions, expectations are soaring.
However, Coolie isn't the only major release scheduled for that day. War 2, starring NTR and Hrithik Roshan and directed by Ayan Mukerji, is also set to premiere on August 14. With NTR playing a morally complex character, the film has generated immense anticipation across the country. It will be released in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi.
Interestingly, Coolie marks Nagarjuna's first full-fledged negative role, where he too plays the villain. The Tollywood crowd has taken to social media with playful banter, comparing the two releases. Fans are joking that NTR is 'backstabbing' Nagarjuna, despite affectionately calling him 'Nag Babai', by releasing a competing film on the same day.
For those unfamiliar, Nagarjuna has always shared a warm bond with NTR's family. He considers the late Harikrishna like a brother and holds a fatherly affection for Tarak (NTR). Their camaraderie goes back to their time co-starring in Seetharama Raju (1999), and that bond has only deepened over the years.
Nagarjuna's legacy lives on, not just through his iconic roles, but through the lasting relationships he's built along the way.
