Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar has been one of the most talked-about films of the past year, and now it’s making its way from cinemas into millions of living rooms around the world. After a historic theatrical run, the spy thriller finally hit OTT on January 30, 2026, and viewers across India and beyond are streaming it on Netflix.
A Theatrical Run That Broke Records
Dhurandhar first hit theatres on December 5, 2025, directed and co-produced by Aditya Dhar. The film isn’t just another action movie — it’s a sprawling espionage thriller that blends real-world events with high-stakes fiction, and it quickly became one of the highest grossing Hindi films ever. Starring Ranveer Singh alongside Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and R. Madhavan, the film kept audiences glued to screens with its gritty narrative and intense performances.
By the time its run ended, Dhurandhar had crossed the ₹1,000-crore mark — a milestone few Hindi films reach. That box-office haul didn’t just make headlines in India. It also made the movie a global talking point ahead of its OTT launch.
Netflix Debut and What Fans Expected
On January 30, as the calendar flipped to a new month, Dhurandhar began streaming on Netflix starting at midnight IST — a slot usually reserved for big-ticket digital premieres. The platform rolled it out in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, opening it up to a wider audience.
For many fans who missed its long cinema hours or wanted to catch every scene again, the OTT release was a chance to relive the spy action at home. Some even hoped it would include the uncut version of the film — the version without any trims from the original theatrical edit.
The Buzz — and the Backlash
But the reaction quickly mixed excitement with frustration.
Shortly after Dhurandhar landed online, social media lit up with complaints about the version Netflix had released. Several viewers pointed out that the film appeared shortened by about 9–10 minutes compared with its theatre runtime, with scenes trimmed and some dialogues muted or altered. For a movie certified “A” (for adults), many fans argued that censoring language and cutting scenes took away from the raw intensity they loved in cinemas.
Comments ranged from disappointment over the edits to calls for Netflix or the filmmakers to release an uncut version. Some fans asked pointed questions about why a mature, adult-rated film would be muted or modified for OTT while others remained unedited on other platforms or formats.
The debate shows how passionate viewers have become about streaming-era releases — not just watching a film online, but experiencing it the way they expect it. Both praise and criticism trended quickly as clips and reactions spread across Twitter and Instagram.
Why This OTT Launch Matters
The digital release of Dhurandhar isn’t just another film dropping online. It reflects a bigger shift in how big Bollywood blockbusters live beyond theatres.
- Digital Reach:Streaming gives the film a second life. Not everyone could watch it on the big screen, and now audiences around the world — including places where it wasn’t released theatrically — can see it.
- Regional Access:By offering dubbed versions in languages like Tamil and Telugu, the OTT release expands the film’s reach within India’s diverse audience base.
- Conversation Starter:The reactions around edits and censorship highlight a growing demand for transparency and authenticity in OTT releases, especially for films originally meant for adult audiences.
The strong reactions also show how streaming premieres have become cultural moments just as big as theatrical openings, usually marked by midnight watches and fan anticipation.
Looking Ahead
With Dhurandhar now online, eyes are already turning to its sequel — Dhurandhar: Part 2 (The Revenge) — scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026. Fans will be watching closely to see how that chapter unfolds both on and off screen.
Final Take
Dhurandhar’s move to OTT is a milestone for Indian cinema’s digital evolution. It proves that a film can continue shaping conversations long after its box-office run. Yes, the Netflix release stirred debate — but it also brought the film to homes across India and the world, giving it an enduring place in the streaming era.
Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or returning for a second watch, the Dhurandhar experience now goes beyond cinemas and into the heart of online culture.
Satyakam is a seasoned professional content writer with over 15 years of experience in creating high-quality, research-driven content for digital platforms. He specialises in business, finance, banking, law, technology, and informational blogs.
