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Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life finds unexpected buzz amid Karnataka ban

Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life may lose revenue in Karnataka, but the controversy surrounding the film has significantly raised its national profile and box office potential.

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Thugs life

Kamal Haasan’s much-anticipated film Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam and scored by A.R. Rahman, is all set for its nationwide release on Thursday, June 5 — except in Karnataka. The ban in the southern state, due to an unresolved legal controversy, may result in an estimated Rs12 crore loss for the producers. However, trade experts believe the buzz generated by the controversy could outweigh the regional setback.

A Rs12 crore loss, but Rs50 crore worth visibility?

Before the controversy, Thug Life had minimal public awareness. But ever since the dispute emerged, the film has consistently dominated news cycles and social media chatter. Analysts note that while the Karnataka release loss may be financially inconvenient, it has effectively functioned as a high-impact marketing campaign without the usual advertising spend.

Promotional campaigns for big-budget films often consume Rs30–50 crore, with no guaranteed returns. In this context, Thug Life’s controversy has provided organic publicity that might be valued higher than the Rs7–12 crore expected loss from Karnataka.

Film trade analyst Girish Wankhede said the Karnataka loss should be seen as part of the promotional investment, as the controversy has turned the spotlight on the film. “Now everyone knows Kamal Haasan is starring in a film directed by Mani Ratnam with music by A.R. Rahman. Before this, barely anyone was talking about it,” he added.

Advance bookings suggest strong box office opening

Despite the regional release restriction, the film is witnessing strong demand across markets. Distributor Raj Bansal noted that advance bookings across languages have already surpassed Rs10 crore, with Rs65 lakh coming from the Hindi belt alone. The numbers are expected to rise further in the lead-up to the release.

Kamal Haasan, whose last outing Indian 2 failed at the box office, will be looking to reclaim his commercial appeal with Thug Life. His previous success, Vikram, grossed over Rs414 crore worldwide and set a high benchmark for his action films.

Final verdict awaits box office performance

As the legal matter remains under judicial review, all eyes are on how the controversy will impact Thug Life’s opening weekend. While the absence from Karnataka limits regional revenue, national — and possibly international — anticipation has sharply risen.

Whether the marketing value of controversy converts into long-term success will be clearer after its theatrical run begins outside Karnataka.

Entertainment

Dhurandhar raw and uncut version set for digital premiere on two major streaming platforms

In a major surprise for action film fans, the raw and uncut version of Dhurandhar is launching tomorrow across both Netflix India and JioHotstar with uncensored footage and multiple audio tracks.

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Dhurandhar

Indian cinema enthusiasts are in for an unexpected treat as the highly anticipated unfiltered version of the blockbuster film Dhurandhar is officially heading to digital platforms. In a surprising double-platform strategy, the raw and uncut cut of the action-packed movie is scheduled to begin streaming on both Netflix India and JioHotstar.

The sudden announcement from the streaming platforms has sparked significant buzz across social media. While much of the recent digital speculation has centered around the streaming schedule for the sequel, media updates have confirmed that this specific raw release applies to the franchise’s first installment. Starting tomorrow, viewers in India will be able to watch the unfiltered version of the movie in multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, complete with intense gore sequences and raw dialogues that were previously trimmed.

Dual-platform digital release brings uncensored action

The announcement has cleared up initial confusion among fans who were anticipating updates regarding the franchise. While international audiences have seen varied streaming distributions for the franchise, viewers within India will uniquely get access to the first film’s “undekha” (unseen) cut simultaneously on two separate streaming applications.

The standard digital premiere for the second installment, Dhurandhar 2, remains locked for June 4, 2026, on JioHotstar and will mirror the standard censored cut that was showcased during its theatrical run. However, for fans seeking an uncompromising, high-octane cinematic experience, the original film’s extended, raw edition arrives online tomorrow on both competing streaming services.

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Dhurandhar 2 bags massive OTT deal, likely to stream on JioHotstar after IPL 2026

Dhurandhar 2 lands a Rs 155 crore OTT deal with JioHotstar and may release after IPL 2026.

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Dhurandhar

The upcoming Bollywood film Dhurandhar 2 has reportedly secured a significant OTT deal, underlining its strong market buzz ahead of release. According to media reports, the film’s digital streaming rights have been acquired by JioHotstar for approximately Rs 155 crore.

The makers are expected to follow a strategic release plan, with the film likely to premiere on the platform after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. JioHotstar also holds digital streaming rights for the tournament, and the post-IPL window is seen as an effort to retain audience engagement.

Reports suggest that the film could arrive on OTT in late May or early June 2026, depending on its theatrical release schedule and run. However, there is no official confirmation yet regarding the exact streaming date.

Industry observers note that the reported deal highlights the growing demand for big-ticket Hindi films among streaming platforms, especially those expected to draw strong audience interest.

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Ramayana teaser unveiled as Ranbir Kapoor appears as Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s epic film

The teaser of Ramayana has been released, showing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. The film will release in two parts in 2026 and 2027.

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Ramayana Teaser

The teaser of Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film Ramayana has been released, offering the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor in the role of Lord Rama. The film, which is planned as a two-part cinematic project, is scheduled for a Diwali release later this year.

The teaser shows several key moments, including scenes from the coronation and the exile period in the forest of Panchavati. Ranbir Kapoor appears in the role of Rama with a calm and composed presence. The teaser also briefly shows Yash in the role of Ravan towards the end.

Ahead of the teaser launch, Alia Bhatt shared a video message on social media asking audiences to support the project and Ranbir Kapoor’s work on the film. In the video, she said the “Rama unit” video would be released and encouraged audiences to watch and support the film.

Budget and scale

Producer Namit Malhotra said the film has been in development for six to seven years and is being made on a large scale. According to him, the total budget for both parts is around $500 million, which is over Rs 4,000 crore combined.

He said the film is being made for a global audience and aims to present the epic on a large cinematic scale while remaining efficient in production.

Music collaboration

The film’s music is being composed through a collaboration between AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Rahman said working on a project based on such an iconic epic is challenging, as the team wants to present something new while respecting the importance of the story.

Release plan and cast

The film will be released in two parts. The first part is scheduled for a worldwide release in October 2026 ahead of Diwali, while the second part is planned for release during Diwali 2027.

Apart from Ranbir Kapoor, the film also stars Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey and Yash in important roles.

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