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Squid Game Season 2: What to expect from Lee Jung-jae’s return and the new deadly Challenges

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Squid Game season 2 poster featuring main characters

The wait is finally over for Squid Game fans! The second season of the South Korean thriller series, which captivated audiences worldwide with its gripping storyline, is about to hit screens. As anticipation builds, here’s everything you need to know about the highly awaited season, from the release date and cast to what viewers can expect as the deadly game continues.

Release date and what to expect

Squid Game Season 2 will be available for streaming on Netflix starting December 26, 2024, at 12:30 PM IST. The announcement has set fans buzzing, and with the second season just around the corner, it’s clear that the hype surrounding this release is unmatched. As the countdown to the premiere begins, fans can prepare for a thrilling binge-watching experience.

While the first season of Squid Game had nine episodes, the upcoming season will have seven. This streamlined format promises a more compact but equally suspenseful narrative, with each episode designed to deliver maximum tension and surprise.

Returning cast and new faces

The core cast from the first season is back, including Lee Jung-jae (Seong Gi-hun), Lee Byung-hun (Front Man), and Wi Ha-jun (Hwang Jun-ho), ensuring continuity in the gripping story. Adding to the excitement, Gong Yoo also returns, alongside a new set of characters portrayed by Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, and others. These fresh faces will bring new dynamics to the game, as each character enters with unique motives and strategies to survive.

A sneak peek into the storyline

Picking up right where the first season left off, Season 2 will follow Seong Gi-hun’s journey as he remains in South Korea, determined to uncover the truth behind the sinister game. Fueled by vengeance, Gi-hun returns to face new and even more dangerous players. The stakes are higher than ever, as each round of the deadly game will force players to outwit each other and push their physical and mental limits to the edge.

The series isn’t just about survival — it’s a game of strategy, alliances, and brutal decisions. Fans can expect even more gruesome challenges, filled with intense action and emotional turmoil, as Gi-hun and his fellow players fight for the ultimate prize or risk meeting their deaths.

What’s next for the squid game Universe?

Looking ahead, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has confirmed that a third season is in the works, which will serve as the grand finale to this thrilling saga. In a statement, Hwang expressed his excitement about returning to the world of Squid Game, promising a climactic showdown between Gi-hun and the Front Man, which will raise the stakes to a whole new level.

As the series delves deeper into psychological and philosophical themes, fans can expect an even more captivating narrative in the third season that will tie up the story’s loose ends and bring the saga to an explosive conclusion.

Cultural impact and legacy

Since its debut, Squid Game has transcended the small screen to become a global phenomenon. Its exploration of social inequality, survival, and the human will to endure has sparked widespread discussions, fan theories, and cultural references. The second season is expected to raise these themes to new heights, diving deeper into the mental and emotional challenges that players face in the game.

As fans eagerly await the premiere, one thing is certain — Squid Game Season 2 is bound to be an unforgettable ride. From its star-studded cast to the psychological twists and jaw-dropping moments, this season promises to deliver everything that made the first season a worldwide sensation — and more.

So, get ready for the game to resume. Squid Game Season 2 is coming, and it’s going to be even more intense than before. Don’t miss the action!

Entertainment

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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Dhurandhar box office collection crosses Rs 1,000 crore worldwide in 21 days

Dhurandhar has crossed Rs 1,000 crore worldwide within 21 days, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 so far.

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Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar continues its strong theatrical run, achieving a major milestone at the global box office. The Ranveer Singh-led film has crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark worldwide within 21 days of its release, reinforcing its position as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 so far.

Released on December 5, the film has shown sustained momentum both in India and overseas, outperforming other major releases of the year and entering the elite Rs 1,000 crore club.

Strong worldwide and domestic performance

According to figures shared by the makers, Dhurandhar has earned Rs 1006.7 crore globally in just three weeks. With this, it has gone past earlier big releases of the year, including Kantara Chapter 1 and Chhaava, to set a new benchmark in worldwide collections.

In the domestic market, the film has posted equally impressive numbers. Over its first 21 days, Dhurandhar collected more than Rs 650 crore in India. The film earned Rs 28.60 crore on Day 21, which coincided with Christmas, further boosting its overall tally.

A closer look at the India collections shows a strong week-wise performance. The film opened with Rs 218 crore in its first week, followed by Rs 261.50 crore in the second week. Between Days 15 and 20, it added Rs 160.70 crore. With the Day 21 earnings included, the total net domestic collection stands at Rs 668.80 crore, placing it among the biggest box office successes of the year and pushing it closer to the Rs 700 crore mark in India.

Entry into top domestic earners list

With its current numbers, Dhurandhar has also secured a spot among the top ten highest-grossing Indian films based on domestic net collections. The film has overtaken Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal to claim the ninth position on the list, underlining its exceptional run in theatres.

Cast, direction and sequel announcement

Headlined by Ranveer Singh, Dhurandhar features an ensemble cast that includes Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi. The film is directed by Aditya Dhar, whose storytelling and the performances of the cast have been key factors behind its box office success.

The makers have already confirmed a sequel, which was hinted at in the post-credit scene. The follow-up film is scheduled to release on March 19, 2026, and will hit theatres in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

With its record-breaking global earnings and continued strong performance in India, Dhurandhar is set to close 2025 as one of the most successful Indian films in recent years.

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