Ustaad Bhagat Singh, the highly anticipated collaboration between Pawan Kalyan and director Harish Shankar, made its digital debut on Netflix on April 16, 2026. However, the transition from the big screen to the small screen has reignited a fierce wave of trolling from disappointed fans.
OTT Release & Global Reach
Following its theatrical run which began on March 19 facing a massive clash with the box office juggernaut Dhurandhar: The Revenge the film is now available for global streaming. Netflix India announced the premiere with a high-octane trailer cut, offering the film in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.
While the theatrical run ended with a worldwide gross of approximately ₹95 crore, the film struggled to live up to the massive “cult” expectations set by the duo’s previous blockbuster, Gabbar Singh.
Netizens React
The OTT release has provided a platform for frustrated fans to air their grievances, with social media flooded with sarcastic reviews and memes.
The Agnyaathavaasi Comparison: One viral comment on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted the level of disappointment, stating: “Nenu Agnyathavasi cinema ayina 4 sarlu chusta gani, Ustad maatram inkosari chudanu…” (I would watch Agnyaathavaasi four times over rather than watch Ustaad again).
Sarcastic Praise: Other users mocked the film’s “classic” status, with one post sarcastically calling it an “Oscar nominee” and urging viewers, “DON’T TUDUM IT.”
Production Criticism: Interestingly, Netflix’s marketing team received more praise than the actual filmmakers. Fans noted that the Netflix trailer cut was superior to the original promotional material, with one user telling director Harish Shankar: “Don’t call yourself a cult captain if your trailer isn’t like this.”
The Road to Ustaad Bhagat Singh
The film’s journey has been long and tumultuous:
- 2021: Announced as Bhavadeeyudu Bhagat Singh.
- 2022: Officially launched as an adaptation of the 2016 Tamil hit Theri.
- 2025: Finally wrapped production after multiple delays caused by Pawan Kalyan’s political commitments.
- Present Day: The film represents one of the final projects Pawan signed before assuming his current role as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Despite the presence of Sreeleela and a high-budget production by Mythri Movie Makers, the film appears to have missed the mark with the core fanbase, who were hoping for a more original and impactful outing from the “Power Star.”