The long-awaited digital debut of the mega-blockbuster ‘Dhurandhar‘ has left fans in a state of fury. Despite earning an ‘A’ (Adults Only) rating and shattering box office records with a ₹1,300 crore worldwide gross, the film premiered on Netflix on January 30, 2026, in a heavily sanitized format. Viewers who rushed to catch the midnight premiere were met with beeped profanities and significant scene trimmings, sparking a massive “censorship” debate across social media.

The primary point of contention is the drastically reduced runtime. While ‘Dhurandhar’ ran for approximately 3 hours and 34 minutes (214 minutes) in cinemas, the Netflix version clocks in at just 3 hours and 25 minutes. Fans and trade analysts have pointed out:

• The 9-10 Minute Gap: Nearly ten minutes of footage—allegedly including extended action sequences and character beats—have been excised from the digital print.
• Muted Dialogues: Key cuss words and intense verbal exchanges have been muted or “beeped,” a move fans call “insulting” for a platform meant for adult subscribers.
• The Baloch Controversy: Certain dialogues involving the Baloch community, which faced previous theatrical revisions following Ministry of I&B directives, remain censored or altered in the OTT version.

The backlash has centered on a perceived double standard in OTT censorship. Angry netizens took to X (formerly Twitter) to compare the treatment of Aditya Dhar’s directorial with other ‘A’-rated hits:

• Uncut Precedents: Fans noted that Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’ and ‘Kabir Singh’ were released on streaming platforms with zero cuts and full profanity.
• Adult Rating Logic: “You certify the film as A, but you have muted words! Everyone on this app is over 18; are we 5-year-olds?” wrote one frustrated viewer.
• Platform vs. Makers: Reports suggest the decision to trim the film was made by the streaming giant to comply with evolving digital content guidelines, allegedly without the full consent of director Aditya Dhar.

Despite the controversy, ‘Dhurandhar’ remains a cultural phenomenon. The spy thriller, starring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, and Sanjay Dutt, is currently the highest-grossing Hindi film in domestic history. The digital release includes dubbed versions in Tamil and Telugu, though the absence of a Kannada version and the “sanitized” Hindi print have dampened the celebration for many.

Key Highlights:

• Censorship Row: Netflix’s version of the ‘A’-rated blockbuster ‘Dhurandhar’ features muted dialogues and nearly 10 minutes of scene cuts.
• Runtime Discrepancy: The theatrical version (3h 34m) has been trimmed to 3h 25m for OTT, leading to demands for an “Uncut Director’s Version.”
• Fan Outrage: Viewers are citing ‘Animal‘ and ‘Kabir Singh‘ as examples of uncensored OTT hits, accusing platforms of selective censorship.
• Box Office Context: The film, which grossed ₹1,301 crore, is now streaming in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu ahead of its sequel’s release in March 2026.