Now that both War 2 and Coolie are running in theatres, we believe it’s safe to say that all the immense online buzz and build-up behind these mega-budget movies has gone to waste. What was supposed to be a monumental box-office clash has somehow turned into a hot, steamy, and stinky mess, one that not only wastes the time and money of viewers but also raises some serious questions for the makers. One of those questions is: What were they even thinking?
Between Rajnikanth’s Coolie and the Hrithik Roshan–NTR starrer War 2, the real winner, according to many, is an OTT project: Tehran (ZEE5), led by John Abraham.
Many viewers believe Tehran should have been released in theatres instead of either Coolie or War 2, as the latest John Abraham starrer is widely considered far superior to these two mega-budget messes.
It's such a shame that a brilliant movie like #Tehran has to be released on OTT and a sh!tty movie like #War2 releases in theatres coz ppl of this country want to watch bullsh!t each and every time…
— bhavneet singh randev (@Randevbhavi) August 16, 2025
— तुम्हारी प्रेयसी (@NewDrea47919698) August 15, 2025
Today on the occasion of #IndependenceDay John Abraham's much awaited movie "TEHRAN" release on OTT.
This is the real Gift of Independence day for the viewers.I recommend must watch this movie, better than #War2 and #CoolieThePowerHouse .#JohnAbraham#TehranOnZEE5#War2 pic.twitter.com/boT1RRJJp2
— sports news (@CricUniverse7) August 15, 2025
John Abraham's #Tehran is a much better film in comparison to #War2 and #Coolie. It is released on @ZEE5India.
A SOLID THRILLER. ✅#JohnAbraham in one of the most compelling roles yet. #TehranOnZEE5 @TheJohnAbraham #ZEE5 @ManushiChhillar @neerubajwa pic.twitter.com/iJxQh6HRVy
— Cinema Kahani (@cinemakahani) August 15, 2025
Just finished watching #Tehran – brilliant movie.#JohnAbraham nailed the character yet again, makers missed the opportunity, it should be release in cinemas. And even John, real life based story and #IndependenceDay – Always been a great match.#Tehran >> #War2 + #Coolie pic.twitter.com/uiLULPHSYX
— abhi¹⁸ (@CricCineHub) August 15, 2025
In the days of War 2 & Coolie watch Tehran on Zee 5 what a masterpiece .
@TheJohnAbraham #bb27 #War2— KamalJit Rana (@kamaaljit85) August 15, 2025
Sad to see #JohnAbraham's #Tehran movie coming straight to OTT. The movie is way better than #War2 & #Coolie.
— Nidhi (@iNidhiKaur) August 14, 2025
War 2 became one of the hottest topics in Bollywood and across much of North India ever since Hrithik’s appearance in the post-credits scene of Salman Khan’s Tiger 3. On the other hand, Coolie was designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of India’s most iconic and legendary actors, Rajnikanth. While this Lokesh Kanagaraj film does bestow a heartfelt tribute to “the man who can do anything,” it ultimately fails to impress audiences on its own.
Reviews for War 2 have been mostly negative, with heavy criticism directed at its weak storyline, unrealistic action sequences, and its “all style, no substance” approach. Pacing issues, particularly in the second half, along with underwhelming VFX in certain scenes, were also common points of complaint.
Meanwhile, Coolie, despite Rajni Sir’s vintage swag and powerful on-screen presence, a solid Aamir Khan cameo, impressive music, and exhilarating action sequences, is still being considered Kanagaraj’s weakest film to date. The story is the ultimate villain here, which is convoluted, overstuffed with ideas, and weighed down by cameos that feel underwhelming and unnecessary, adding little to the plot.
And then we have Tehran, a direct OTT release that has somehow surpassed both the above-mentioned giants in terms of quality and audience expectations. Critics and viewers alike have praised it as a grounded geopolitical thriller. It’s often described as a gripping, intelligent spy drama that focuses on a nuanced narrative and the human element of conflict.
These Independence Day weekend releases were supposed to be the crown jewels of Indian cinema, a testament to star power and a new era of cinematic grandeur. Instead, they’ve served as a hard-hitting reality check. The triumph of Tehran, an OTT release with substance, over the theatrical juggernauts War 2 and Coolie exposes a critical flaw in the current blockbuster formula.
Audiences are no longer content with mere spectacle and fan service. They demand a coherent story, solid writing, and a narrative that doesn’t treat them like a captive demographic.
The message is clear: the era of relying solely on charisma and massive budgets is fading.
The true war is not between spies on screen but between filmmakers who understand their audience and those who are still living in the past. Bollywood and other industries must learn from Tehran and accept that a compelling script will always outshine a thousand special effects and action sequences. Stay tuned for more updates.
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