Netflix viewers were in for a surprise when Dhurandhar, the Ranveer Singh-starrer, premiered on the streaming platform at midnight on January 30. Many fans quickly noticed that the film was four minutes shorter than the theatrical release, sparking widespread debate on social media. The movie, which was released in cinemas on December 5, 2025, had already been a blockbuster, grossing over Rs 1,000 crore in India and surpassing Rs 1,300 crore worldwide, making it one of the biggest hits of the year.
While many fans had already enjoyed the film multiple times in theatres, anticipation was high for the OTT debut. However, the excitement was quickly tempered when viewers realised that the Netflix version runs for 3 hours 25 minutes, compared to the 3 hours 34 minutes runtime in cinemas. Several sequences appeared to be altered, muted, or cut entirely, including dialogues and instances of strong language that were present in the theatrical version. This has led many to describe the online release as a “censored” or “modified” version.
Social media users were vocal about their disappointment. On X (formerly Twitter), one viewer posted: “WTF. Dhurandhar on Netflix with muted dialogues + censored abuses. If OTT isn't giving us the uncut version, who is? Unrated my foot. Expected the uncensored version. 👎🏼”
Another fan highlighted differences in specific sequences: “There are nearly 10 minutes reduction in duration, and so many scenes look different from theatrical version. Thank god I watched it twice in cinemas!”
The apparent cuts have left fans questioning why streaming platforms often release modified versions of blockbuster films. While Netflix has not officially addressed the changes, the film’s production team also remained silent on the matter. Industry insiders suggest that edits may have been made to comply with digital platform guidelines or to meet runtime and content standards for wider audience acceptability.
The discrepancy between theatrical and streaming versions of films is becoming a growing point of contention in the entertainment industry. Audiences, who increasingly rely on OTT platforms for first-time viewing, often expect the same uncut cinematic experience at home. Dhurandhar’s online debut underscores this debate, highlighting the tension between creative choices, platform policies, and audience expectations.
Despite the controversy, Dhurandhar continues to generate buzz, with fans revisiting the film’s dialogues, performances, and action sequences in theatres and online alike. For many, the incident has reinforced the value of experiencing blockbuster films in cinemas before waiting for digital streaming releases.
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