Made for Rs 100 crore, this movie didn’t even recover its budget, earned only Rs …, but is now trending on Netflix, movie is …

Ajay Devgn’s ‘Son of Sardar 2’, made on a hefty budget of Rs 100 crore, failed to recreate the magic of its 2012 predecessor. The original Son of Sardar had earned Rs 105 crore and was declared a superhit. However, the sequel, directed by Vijay Kumar Arora and shot in the scenic locales of Scotland, struggled at the box office.

Ajay reprised his role as Jassi alongside an ensemble cast featuring Mrunal Thakur, Ravi Kishan, Sanjay Mishra, Neeru Bajwa, Deepak Dobriyal, Chunky Pandey, and Kubba Sait. Released on 26 July 2025, the film managed only Rs 33 crore in its first week. Its total earnings stood at Rs 47 crore in India(BHARAT) and Rs 65 crore worldwide, ultimately marking it a box office flop.

How did the film bounce back on OTT?

While theatres didn’t favour the film, streaming platforms proved to be a game-changer. Son of Sardar 2 recently premiered on Netflix and quickly soared to the No. 1 spot in the platform’s India(BHARAT) Top 10 Movies chart as of 3 October.

In just six days, it outpaced romantic hits like Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, which had already earned Rs 541 crore worldwide earlier this year. Other top OTT releases in the chart include Dhadak 2, Mahavatar Narasimha, Odum Kutira Chadum Kutira, Inspector Zhende, Mantis, Kingdom, Mareson, and KP Demon Hunters.

Why did OTT favour the film where theatres didn’t?

The shift from theatrical underperformance to OTT success highlights changing viewer habits. The film’s mix of scenic visuals, Ajay Devgn’s action-packed performance, and an ensemble cast may not have drawn audiences to cinemas, but it resonated with streaming viewers looking for weekend entertainment.

Experts note that OTT platforms allow films to reach a broader and more diverse audience, often giving movies a second life that box office numbers don’t reflect. For Son of Sardar 2, Netflix provided the ideal stage for rediscovery.

What does this mean for Bollywood’s box office vs OTT trend?

This scenario reflects a growing pattern in India(BHARAT)n cinema: films that underperform theatrically can thrive online. With platforms like Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and Amazon Prime Video, filmmakers now have alternative routes to reach audiences and generate revenue. In the case of Son of Sardar 2, its Rs 100 crore investment may not have paid off immediately in theatres, but OTT success ensures it finds its audience, proving that a flop isn’t always the end of the story.

Highlights:

1. Son of Sardar 2 made Rs 100 crore but earned only Rs 65 crore worldwide in theatres.
2. Netflix India(BHARAT) Top 10 lists the film as No. 1 within six days of streaming release.
3. OTT success demonstrates how digital platforms can revive films that failed at the box office.