The Unexpected Twist in Indian 2's OTT Release: What Hindi-Speaking Fans Need to Know
Netflix announced that Indian 2 will be available on their platform starting August 9. However, in a notable twist, the film will not be offered in Hindi. Instead, it will be streamed in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.
Last month, Kamal Haasan’s highly anticipated film, Indian 2, graced the theatres with substantial fanfare, buoyed by the success of its illustrious predecessor. However, contrary to soaring expectations, the film has met with a less than stellar reception and has been deemed a commercial failure. The initial enthusiasm surrounding the sequel has now dimmed as the film prepares for its digital release on Netflix, albeit with an intriguing and controversial twist.
Indian 2’s OTT Release: A Surprising Exclusion
Kamal Haasan's Indian 2 on Netflix from August 9th... 🥱#Indian2 #KamalHaasan #Ulaganayagan #Shankar #Hindustani2 #KajalAggarwal #RakulPreet #SJSuryah #PiyushMishra #GulshanGrover #Siddharth #Brahmanandam #AnirudhRavichander pic.twitter.com/oUh4UyVyVt
— 𝐕 𝐓𝐯 (@VTVFilmz) August 3, 2024In a move that has puzzled many, Indian 2 will make its debut on Netflix just a month after its theatrical release. While this swift transition is not unusual, the omission of a Hindi version from its OTT rollout has drawn considerable attention. Netflix revealed on Sunday that the film will be available on their platform starting August 9, but exclusively in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. The decision to forgo a Hindi release is particularly striking given the film’s prominence in the Indian film industry and its intended pan-Indian appeal.
Public and Netizen Reactions
You all should definitely watch Indian 2, Kamal Haasan performance is stellar.#Indian2 @ikamalhaasan @shankarshanmugh @anirudhofficial @LycaProductionspic.twitter.com/xSdZQqUOu3
— Sangita ji (@ji_sangita57349) July 14, 2024The announcement, accompanied by the tagline, “Buckle up, Indian Thatha is back to challenge the system again,” has sparked a flurry of reactions across social media. Many netizens have reacted with derision, mocking the film’s abrupt transition to digital streaming. There is a palpable sense of frustration among viewers regarding the absence of a Hindi version. Comments such as “Go back Indian” and “When will Indian 2 release in Hindi?” reflect the discontent among fans who feel slighted by the film's limited linguistic availability.
Moreover, the film’s rapid shift from theatres to OTT has not escaped criticism. Observations such as “Thatha came to OTT very quickly” and “Terrible film, Indian 1 was ten times better” highlight a sentiment of disillusionment with both the film’s quality and its expedited digital release.