War 2, one of the most anticipated action spectacles of the year, is gearing up for a grand release on August 14. Featuring the powerhouse combo of Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan, fans across the country were expecting a full-blown promotional tour with both stars appearing together. But interestingly, Yash Raj Films has taken a completely different promotional route — one that might surprise many.
According to industry sources, War 2 will follow a 25-day promotional campaign where Jr NTR and Hrithik will never share the stage. From interviews to public events, both actors will appear separately, maintaining complete distance in the public eye until the film hits theatres. No joint press meets, no side-by-side red carpet moments — not even for the biggest media outlets.
The man behind this strategy is none other than Aditya Chopra, head of YRF and producer of the film. This method isn’t entirely new — a similar approach was used during the release of the original War in 2019, where Hrithik and Tiger Shroff were never seen together until after the movie’s release.
Aditya Chopra’s thinking is simple: don’t dilute the cinematic impact. War 2 marks the first-ever collaboration between NTR and Hrithik, and the makers believe that overexposing them together in promotional content might reduce the excitement of their on-screen dynamic. By keeping them apart off-screen, the first visual of them sharing frame space will be a theatre-exclusive experience — meant to electrify audiences without any prior visual buildup.
In a sense, this is a complete contrast to S.S. Rajamouli’s approach for RRR, where Jr NTR and Ram Charan traveled extensively together for promotional events. YRF, instead, is relying on curiosity and suspense to drive pre-release hype.
Meanwhile, War 2 is already creating ripples in the Telugu-speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. According to trade circles, Sithara Entertainments has secured the theatrical distribution rights in these regions for an estimated ₹80 crore — though an official confirmation is still pending.
With this massive deal, the spotlight firmly shifts to Jr NTR, who is expected to shoulder the box office performance in the South. While Hrithik Roshan has pan-India appeal, his fan base in B and C centers across Telugu states isn’t as strong. For many local fans, it’s Tarak’s star power that will drive footfall.
As a result, the promotional strategy in AP and Telangana is being specially crafted around Jr NTR’s image, fanbase, and mass appeal. Expect region-specific campaigns, local events, and digital rollouts that put Tarak front and center.