The highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster spy thriller Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, is set to hit theaters on March 19, 2026. However, unlike the first installment, which made its digital debut on Netflix just weeks ago, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge will not be heading to the streaming giant for its post-theatrical release. Instead, recent developments point to a switch to JioHotstar, sparking discussions about the reasons behind this unexpected change.
The original Dhurandhar, released in theaters on December 5, 2025, emerged as one of Bollywood’s biggest hits, grossing over Rs 1,300 crore worldwide. The film, a gripping tale of espionage featuring an ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun, transitioned to OTT on Netflix on January 30, 2026 – exactly eight weeks after its cinematic premiere, adhering to standard release windows. Initially, reports indicated that Netflix had secured rights for both parts of the franchise in a lucrative Rs 130 crore deal, with each installment valued at approximately Rs 65 crore. This would have positioned Dhurandhar 2 for a Netflix release around May 14, 2026, following its theatrical run.
However, the OTT rollout of the first film was marred by widespread fan backlash. Viewers quickly noticed discrepancies between the theatrical version (running 3 hours and 34 minutes) and the Netflix cut, which clocked in at about 3 hours and 25 minutes – a reduction of nearly 9-10 minutes. Complaints flooded social media, highlighting muted dialogues, censored expletives, and even the removal of key scenes, despite the film’s A (Adults Only) rating. Additional grievances included subpar color grading, desaturated visuals, and overall degraded video quality, leading some to accuse Netflix of ruining the film.
Netflix addressed the controversy, clarifying that the platform streams the version provided by the filmmakers. Industry sources explained that adjustments, such as trimming credits or pacing tweaks, are sometimes made by production teams for digital formats. A report from The Times of India suggested that the edits were implemented without director Aditya Dhar’s consent, handled instead by the production banners Jio Studios and B62 Studios. Furthermore, the streaming version incorporated changes mandated by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), including muting references to Baloch and certain words, which had already been applied to theatrical screenings starting January 1, 2026.
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The uproar appears to have influenced the franchise’s OTT strategy. Sources indicate that the producers, regretting the handling of Part 1 on Netflix, have cancelled the deal for the sequel. Recent promotional materials, including the official poster shared by Ranveer Singh, prominently feature JioHotstar and Star Gold as streaming partners, with no mention of Netflix. This shift was confirmed in multiple reports and social media discussions, with The Economic Times noting that Dhurandhar 2 has officially moved its OTT release to JioHotstar, skipping Netflix.
On X (formerly Twitter), users have echoed this development. One post highlighted the removal of Netflix from Dhurandhar 2, while another from Digital Media Index stated, Not Netflix, but JioHotstar to stream Dhurandhar 2, poster reveals major hint of OTT swap. India Today also reported the change, adding that music rights have transitioned from T-Series to Saregama, signaling broader adjustments in the project’s partnerships.
This move could be strategic for the producers, especially given Jio Studios’ involvement in the film’s production. By aligning with JioHotstar – a platform under the Reliance umbrella – the team may aim for a longer theatrical window or better control over the digital presentation to avoid similar controversies. Fans have expressed mixed reactions, with some welcoming the switch, as seen in posts like, So happy they removed that woke Netflix and gave this one to Jio Hotstar.
As Dhurandhar 2 gears up for its Eid release in multiple languages (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam), the OTT pivot underscores the evolving dynamics between filmmakers and streaming platforms. With the teaser already generating buzz – albeit familiar to some from Netflix’s end-credits tease in Part 1 – the sequel promises to build on the franchise’s success, potentially without the digital drama that plagued its predecessor. For now, viewers eager for the revenge saga will need to mark their calendars for theaters first, followed by its new home on JioHotstar.
