June 20, 2025: Renowned filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar has made his return to the digital space with Detective Sherdil, Z5’s latest original film that began streaming today, June 20, 2025. Starring Diljit Dosanjh in the lead, the film marks Zafar’s shift from large-scale theatrical spectacles to lighter, genre-based content tailored for OTT audiences.
Produced by Ali Abbas Zafar, Detective Sherdil signals his comeback to Z5 (OTTplay Premium) after five years. His last project for the platform was Khaali Peeli in 2020, starring Ananya Panday and Ishaan Khatter. Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, Khaali Peeli was among the early films to experiment with direct-to-digital distribution in India.
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Zafar, best known for directing blockbuster action films like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai, continued exploring digital platforms post-pandemic. His 2023 release Bloody Daddy, a slick action thriller starring Shahid Kapoor, debuted on now-JioHotstar and drew attention for its stylised approach and adaptation of the French film Sleepless Night.
In 2024, he returned to the big screen with the action-packed Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. The film marked his return to theatrical releases after a series of OTT ventures.
Earlier, in 2022, Zafar also directed and produced the critically acclaimed Jogi, a Netflix original featuring Diljit Dosanjh. Set against the backdrop of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the historical drama was praised for its sensitive portrayal of a dark chapter in Indian history.
With Detective Sherdil, Zafar continues to experiment with diverse formats and genres, proving his versatility as a storyteller across platforms.