Dhurandhar OTT Release: Netizens Upset With Colour Grading Of Ranveer Singh-Akshaye Khanna Film

While Ranveer Singh’s spy-thriller Dhurandhar is dominating Netflix’s Top 10 list following its January 30, 2026 premiere, the digital release has sparked a fierce technical “war” on social media. After fans initially slammed the film for being “censored,” the outrage has shifted to the movie’s visual quality, with netizens claiming the OTT print is “flat and lifeless.”

As of Saturday, January 31, 2026, here is the breakdown of the technical controversy surrounding the film’s “soul.”

The Visual Backlash: “Desaturated and Dull”

Fans who watched the film multiple times in theaters are now sharing comparison screenshots on X (formerly Twitter), claiming the Netflix version has “garbage” color grading.

The “Flat” Look: Viewers have noted a lack of contrast and depth, describing the frames as “dusty,” “washed-out,” and possessing a “dull brown palette” that ruins the original cinematography.
The HDR/SDR Conflict: Some tech-savvy users pointed out that the desaturation is visible in both Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR) prints, leading to theories that a “working print” or an improperly rendered master was uploaded.
Fan Verdict: One viral tweet summed up the sentiment: “YouTube videos have better sound and video quality… you’re just stealing the natural raw vibe from it.”

The “Missing 9 Minutes” Explained

Despite allegations that Netflix “trimmed” the movie, industry insiders have provided a logical explanation for the shorter 3 hour 25 minute runtime (compared to the 3 hour 34 minute theatrical cut):

Technical Frame Rate: Films are often sped up slightly from the theatrical 24fps to 25fps for digital masters, which naturally reduces the duration without cutting content.
Removal of “Theatrical Only” Elements: The digital version excludes interval cards, cinema-specific advertisements, and the lengthy statutory anti-smoking disclaimers required for big-screen exhibition.
The Voluntary Recut: Sources close to the production confirmed that the Netflix version is actually the “Revised Theatrical Cut” that began playing in cinemas on January 1, 2026. This version had already muted certain references to the Baloch community following legal objections.

Dhurandhar Box Office & Franchise Update

The Billion-Dollar Mark: Even as it streams, Dhurandhar continues to run in theaters, having collected an staggering ₹835.85 crore in India and over ₹1,400 crore worldwide.
Dhurandhar 2: Amid the technical controversy, excitement is building for the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which is locked for a massive Eid 2026 release on March 19.