Hrithik, NTR Jr face off in explosive ‘War 2’ teaser

Timed to coincide with NTR Jr’s birthday on May 20, the teaser delivers on Hritik’s recent promise of an “explosive” treat for fans, Variety reports.

The short but gripping preview marks the first on-screen face-off between the two actors, sending social media into a frenzy.

“War 2” also stars Kiara Advani in the female lead, marking her debut in Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) expanding spy universe. Directed by Ayan Mukerji — best known for the fantasy epic Brahmastra — the film marks his entry into the high-octane spy thriller genre.

Produced by Aditya Chopra, YRF’s spy universe began with the Tiger franchise, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, and has grown into one of India’s biggest film properties.

The universe kicked off with Ek Tha Tiger (2012), followed by Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), War (2019) starring Roshan and Tiger Shroff, and Pathaan (2023), which featured Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham. Tiger 3 also released in 2023.

The upcoming Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, is set to be the first female-led film in the universe and will follow War 2, with Tiger vs Pathaan — starring Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan — to come next.

In the universe, Salman Khan plays RAW agent Avinash Singh Rathore aka Tiger, while Katrina Kaif plays ISI operative Zoya Humaini.

Roshan’s Kabir Dhaliwal, introduced in War, is a rogue RAW agent, while Shroff’s Khalid Rahmani is his protégé. Shah Rukh Khan plays exiled RAW agent in Pathaan, with Padukone as ISI agent Rubina Mohsin.

The characters often cross over — Kabir appears in Tiger 3, Tiger has a cameo in Pathaan, and Colonel Sunil Luthra (Ashutosh Rana) features across multiple films.

War 2 will be released in cinemas worldwide on August 14 in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, aiming to capture a pan-Indian audience, reports UNB.