Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar finally arrived on Netflix on January 30, weeks after completing a historic theatrical run. The Aditya Dhar directorial crossed ₹1,000 crore in India and went past ₹1,300 crore worldwide, making it one of the biggest Hindi film successes of 2025. Naturally, expectations were sky-high for its OTT debut.
But soon after the film started streaming, social media erupted with complaints. Many viewers noticed that the Netflix version is shorter than the original theatrical cut and accused the platform of streaming a “censored” edition. So what really changed, and why does Dhurandhar feel different on OTT?
What Was the Original Runtime of Dhurandhar?
When Dhurandhar released in cinemas on December 5, 2025, its original runtime was approximately 3 hours and 34 minutes. This version played across theatres nationwide during its initial run and is the one most fans remember.
However, weeks after release, the makers were asked to make minor modifications following objections raised over certain dialogues.
Why Was the Film Revised After Its Release?
According to widely reported details, the Central Board of Film Certification directed the filmmakers to mute two specific words and one dialogue referencing the Baloch community. These changes were implemented without removing scenes or altering the storyline.
After the revisions, a new censor certificate was issued. The updated runtime became 3 hours, 28 minutes, and 56 seconds. This revised cut began playing in theatres from January 1, 2026, replacing the original version.
Why Is the Netflix Version Even Shorter?
On Netflix, Dhurandhar clocks in at roughly 3 hours and 25 minutes, which is around nine minutes shorter than the initial theatrical cut. This led to claims that additional scenes were trimmed for streaming.
However, insiders clarify that Netflix is hosting the final DCP theatrical version, not a separate OTT edit. The difference in runtime is primarily due to:
Muted words instead of full dialogues
Slightly faster frame pacing compared to the first cinema print
Technical compression differences between theatrical and OTT formats
No full scenes or story arcs have been removed.
Which Dialogues Were Muted?
At around the 1 hour 55 minute mark, Sanjay Dutt’s character, SP Chaudhary Aslam, delivers a dialogue that originally referenced the Baloch community in a derogatory manner. In the revised version:
The community reference is muted
The sentence structure remains intact
English subtitles use neutral phrasing like “someone like them”
These changes align with the revised censor certificate and are not exclusive to Netflix.
Which Dialogues Were Muted?
At around the 1 hour 55 minute mark, Sanjay Dutt’s character, SP Chaudhary Aslam, delivers a dialogue that originally referenced the Baloch community in a derogatory manner. In the revised version:
The community reference is muted
The sentence structure remains intact
English subtitles use neutral phrasing like “someone like them”
These changes align with the revised censor certificate and are not exclusive to Netflix.
Is Netflix Streaming a Censored Version?
Despite online outrage, the answer is no.
Netflix has not independently censored or trimmed Dhurandhar. As an OTT distributor, the platform uploads films exactly as provided by the producers. In this case, Jio Studios and B62 Studios supplied the revised theatrical version that was already playing in cinemas from January onward.
The film’s violent imagery, intense action sequences, and adult themes remain unchanged
Why Are Fans Still Angry?
Many viewers expected an uncut or original theatrical version on OTT, especially since Dhurandhar carries an ‘A’ certificate and streams on an age-restricted platform. Fans compared it to films like Animal and Kabir Singh, which reportedly stream without post-theatrical dialogue mutes.
The disappointment is more about expectation vs reality rather than actual content removal.
What This Means Going Forward
The version streaming on Netflix is the official, legally approved final cut of Dhurandhar. While it is marginally shorter than the first theatrical print, it is not a specially censored OTT edition.
With audiences revisiting the film on streaming, anticipation is already building for the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026.
For now, viewers can rest assured that what they’re watching on Netflix is the same version that played in cinemas during the film’s later theatrical run — just updated, compliant, and technically optimized for OTT.
