Khel Khel Mein” to Premiere on Netflix After Theatrical Run Struggles

“Khel Khel Mein,” a Bollywood film featuring a star-studded cast, is set to make its debut on an OTT platform following a challenging run at the box office. The film, starring Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan, Taapsee Pannu, and Vaani Kapoor, among others, will begin streaming on Netflix starting October 9, according to a report from DNA.

The film, directed by Mudassar Aziz, initially released in cinemas on August 15, coinciding with India’s Independence Day. It faced stiff competition from “Stree 2,” a film that dominated the box office at the time. “Khel Khel Mein” was also released alongside “Vedaa,” leading to a clash that resulted in fewer screens and resources for the former two films.

Despite receiving positive reviews, “Khel Khel Mein” did not perform as expected commercially, reportedly earning just over Rs. 40 crores in lifetime box office collections. The film is a comedy-drama-thriller and is an official adaptation of the 2016 Italian film “Perfect Strangers” (“Perfetti Sconosciuti”).

A report from ETimes highlighted insights from trade experts and distributors, who expressed that “Khel Khel Mein” might have fared better with a different release date, avoiding the clash with the successful “Stree 2.” The latter occupied around 3,500 screens compared to the 1,800-2,000 screens allotted for “Khel Khel Mein” and “Vedaa.”

The film’s arrival on Netflix is expected to provide it with the opportunity to reach a wider audience, allowing viewers who missed its theatrical run to experience it from the comfort of their homes. Netflix’s official announcement regarding the release was reportedly made through their app.

The production was carried out under the banners of T-Series, Wakaoo Films, and White World Productions. Fans and viewers can look forward to Akshay Kumar’s return to comedy, a genre in which he has previously excelled.