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Sookshmadarshini: Basil Joseph and Nazriya Nazim’s mystery thriller makes OTT debut on Disney+ Hotstar

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Basil Joseph and Nazriya Nazim Fahadh in a scene from Sookshmadarshini, now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar

The much-anticipated black comedy mystery thriller Sookshmadarshini is set to make its digital debut this weekend on Disney+ Hotstar. Directed by MC Jithin and starring Basil Joseph and Nazriya Nazim Fahadh in lead roles, the film was a massive success during its theatrical release in November 2024. Now, audiences can enjoy this gripping narrative from the comfort of their homes starting January 11, 2025.

Streaming in five languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi, Sookshmadarshini is expected to capture a wider audience base with its intriguing storyline and powerful performances. The movie will premiere on Disney+ Hotstar at midnight on January 11, making it an exciting weekend watch for fans of suspense thrillers.

A tale of mystery and suspense

Sookshmadarshini revolves around Priyadarshini (Nazriya Nazim Fahadh), a happy-go-lucky homemaker, who grows suspicious of her new neighbor, Manuel (Basil Joseph), and his mother Grace. Set in a closely-knit housing colony, the film uses its ensemble of quirky characters to build suspense as Priya’s investigation unravels dark secrets about Manuel’s life. The mystery thickens when Grace goes missing, leaving Priya to piece together a puzzle that shocks the entire neighborhood.

The film effectively balances its dark themes with moments of humor and relatable neighborhood dynamics, making it a unique addition to the thriller genre. Director MC Jithin, inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s style of storytelling, masterfully crafts a suspense-filled narrative in a world reminiscent of Sathyan Anthikad’s films, where nosy neighbors and WhatsApp groups drive the story forward.

Powerful performances and strong writing

Nazriya Nazim shines as the determined and resourceful Priyadarshini, while Basil Joseph delivers a haunting performance as the enigmatic Manuel. Deepak Parambol, who plays Priya’s supportive husband Antony, and the ensemble cast featuring Sidharth Bharathan, Akhila Bhargavan, Pooja Mohanraj, Merin Philip, and Manohari Joy add depth to the film.

The screenplay by Athul Ramachandran and Libin TB is a standout element, weaving suspense and intrigue with sharp character arcs and clever twists. Christo Xavier’s haunting original score and songs further enhance the film’s atmosphere, while Sharan Velayudhan’s cinematography captures the claustrophobic yet vibrant world of the housing colony. Editor Chaman Chakko’s tight cuts ensure a gripping pace throughout the film.

A must-watch thriller

Sookshmadarshini is not just a mystery thriller but a masterclass in storytelling that keeps viewers engaged till the very end. The final reveals are crafted to deliver maximum impact, leaving the audience stunned and satisfied. The film’s blend of neighborhood gossip, dark humor, and suspenseful twists has earned it critical acclaim and widespread popularity.For those who missed its theatrical run, Sookshmadarshini is a must-watch on Disney+ Hotstar. Its smart writing, stellar cast, and edge-of-your-seat thrills make it a perfect choice for fans of the genre.

Entertainment

Border 2 box office collection day 12 crosses Rs 286 crore, eyes Rs 300 crore milestone

Border 2 box office collection reaches Rs 286.75 crore after 12 days, putting the Sunny Deol-led film close to the Rs 300 crore milestone.

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Sunny Deol in Border 2

Sunny Deol’s Border 2 continues its impressive run at the domestic box office, edging closer to the Rs 300 crore mark by the end of its second week. The war drama, which hit theatres on January 23, has shown consistent collections since its release.

On its second Tuesday, the film earned an estimated Rs 5.75 crore, taking its total earnings to Rs 286.75 crore after 12 days.

Border 2 box office performance so far

The film matched its Monday earnings on February 3, adding Rs 5.75 crore to its tally. With this, Border 2 has managed to hold firm on weekdays, a sign of sustained audience interest.

The film delivered a robust opening week, collecting Rs 224.25 crore, supported by the extended Republic Day holiday period.

Second weekend boosts collections

The second weekend provided another lift to the film’s box office numbers. Friday saw collections of Rs 10.75 crore, followed by Rs 17.75 crore on Saturday. Sunday emerged as the strongest day of the weekend, contributing Rs 22.5 crore to the total.

Monday, which coincided with Republic Day, turned out to be the film’s highest single-day performer so far, with earnings touching Rs 59 crore.

With its current pace, Border 2 has already surpassed the opening weekend figures of Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar.

Border 2 review

In a review, film critic Saibal Chatterjee noted that Border 2 succeeds in highlighting the courage of soldiers while also touching upon their emotional vulnerabilities. The film explores themes of separation, loss, fear, and hope, presenting moments of heroism amid personal struggles.

About the film

Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty. Set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the film is positioned as a spiritual successor to the 1997 classic Border.

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Why Dhurandhar on Netflix runs shorter than its original theatrical cut

Dhurandhar’s Netflix release sparked confusion over its shorter runtime. The difference is linked to muted dialogue and an updated theatrical cut.

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Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar has finally made its much-awaited debut on Netflix, just days after the Ranveer Singh-starrer completed a blockbuster theatrical run across India. While the film crossed Rs 1,000 crore domestically and went past Rs 1,300 crore worldwide, its OTT release has triggered confusion and criticism over its shorter runtime.

Several viewers took to social media early Friday, claiming that a “censored” version of Dhurandhar was streaming on Netflix. The runtime displayed on the platform is 3 hours and 25 minutes, nearly nine minutes shorter than the film’s originally reported duration of 3 hours and 34 minutes.

What caused the runtime difference

The confusion stems from changes made after the film’s initial theatrical release. According to the revised censor certificate, Dhurandhar now has an approved runtime of 3 hours 28 minutes and 56 seconds. This updated version replaced the earlier cut in cinemas starting January 1.

The revision followed directions to mute two specific words and one dialogue referring to the Baloch community. These changes were implemented without removing scenes, resulting in a marginally shorter runtime.

What viewers noticed on Netflix

Audiences streaming the film on Netflix observed muted portions during a scene involving Sanjay Dutt’s character, SP Chaudhary Aslam. In the original version, the dialogue included a direct reference to a former Baloch police partner. In the revised cut now available on Netflix, those references are muted, while English subtitles offer a generalised translation without naming the community.

Some viewers also pointed out that the film appears to play slightly faster on the platform, contributing to the perception that content had been trimmed.

Is Netflix streaming a censored cut

Industry insiders have clarified that Netflix is carrying the final theatrical version approved by the authorities. As an OTT distributor, the platform uploads films exactly as provided by the producers. The version streaming online is the same revised cut that has been screening in theatres since January.

Importantly, the film’s intense and graphic depiction of violence remains unchanged in the OTT version.

In short, Dhurandhar on Netflix is not a specially edited or censored cut for streaming. It is the updated theatrical version, adjusted for muted dialogue and presented with a slightly faster frame rate.

Following its OTT release, audiences can now look ahead to the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.

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Border 2 box office collection day 1 crosses Rs 30 crore

Border 2 opens to Rs 30 crore on day one, becoming the biggest opener for Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh.

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Sunny Deol in Border 2

Border 2 has made an impressive start at the Indian box office, collecting Rs 30 crore on its opening day. The war drama, headlined by Sunny Deol along with Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh, opened to largely positive audience and critical response.

According to industry tracking data, the film recorded an overall occupancy of 32.1 per cent on day one. Night shows contributed the highest footfall, indicating strong word-of-mouth towards the end of the day.

Strong show count and urban traction

Border 2 was screened in nearly 6,000 shows across the country on its opening day. Major centres reported heavy traction, with over 1,000 shows in Mumbai and more than 1,500 shows across the Delhi-NCR region. Trade sources noted that urban circuits played a key role in pushing the film past the Rs 30 crore mark.

The opening performance places Border 2 ahead of Dhurandhar, which collected Rs 28 crore on its first day despite having a similar nationwide show count. Dhurandhar later saw consistent growth over its opening weekend, a trend that Border 2 is also expected to follow.

Career-best opening for key cast members

Border 2 has emerged as the biggest opening-day film in the careers of Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh. For Varun Dhawan, the film marks his first box office success since Bhediya in 2023. Ahan Shetty, who made his debut with Tadap in 2021, has registered his first theatrical hit with the war drama.

For Sunny Deol, however, Border 2 does not surpass the opening records of Gadar 2, which remains his highest-grossing film with a worldwide collection of Rs 686 crore.

Dhurandhar sees slowdown after Border 2 release

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar’s box office run has slowed following the release of Border 2. The film reportedly earned under Rs 1 crore for the first time in nearly 50 days, reflecting the impact of the new release.

Directed by Anurag Singh and produced by JP Dutta and Nidhi Dutta, Border 2 also features Sonam Bajwa and Mona Singh in prominent roles.

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