For a brief moment, it looked like Alpha might skip cinemas altogether. Rumours swirled that the next chapter in the Yash Raj Films Spy Universe would head straight to streaming following the mixed buzz around War 2.
But that narrative has now been firmly shut down.
According to Variety India, YRF turned down a massive ₹215 crore offer from Netflix for a direct-to-digital release. The studio has instead doubled down on giving the Alia Bhatt-led actioner a full theatrical rollout.
“Alpha Is a Tentpole Film,” Says YRF
A source told the publication that the OTT deal was indeed on the table — and it wasn’t small. ₹215 crore is the kind of number that can tempt any production house.
However, a YRF spokesperson dismissed speculation about a streaming premiere, calling such rumours an attempt to put a heroine-fronted film “in an unflattering light.” The studio reiterated that films from its theatrical slate will not be sent directly to OTT.
The statement emphasized that Alpha is being mounted as a large-scale cinematic experience and described it as a major tentpole project for the company. It also praised Alia Bhatt as “one of the finest actors of our country” and called Sharvari a “brilliant young actor.”
In short, YRF isn’t blinking.
Release Delays, Spyverse Pressure & Industry Speculation
Originally slated for a December 25 release last year, Alpha was pushed to April 17 due to extended VFX timelines. Insiders cited ambitious action sequences and high-end visual effects that required more time.
However, industry chatter suggested another reason — the response to War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, reportedly wasn’t as explosive as expected. Some assumed YRF was recalibrating its spy universe strategy.
Now, Alpha won’t hit April either, reportedly to avoid a box-office clash with Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan. A new release date is still under wraps.
For YRF, which has built a billion-rupee spy universe brand with films like Ek Tha Tiger, War, and Pathaan, the stakes are undeniably high.
Alia Bhatt’s Big Year
Speaking at BAFTA 2026, Alia herself addressed the buzz around her upcoming projects. She revealed that she has two completely different films arriving this year — the action-heavy Alpha and Love & War, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Calling Love & War a quintessential Bhansali film filled with drama and emotion, Alia admitted she’s curious about audience reactions to both projects. “When it’s out there, just hand it over to the world,” she said — a line that reflects both confidence and anticipation.
Alpha, directed by Shiv Rawail, marks a rare female-led chapter in the YRF Spy Universe. That alone makes it a significant experiment in a franchise traditionally powered by male superstars.
Final Words
Turning down ₹215 crore isn’t a casual decision. It’s a statement.
YRF’s choice to back a theatrical release suggests confidence — not just in Alpha, but in the idea that audiences will show up for a woman-led action spectacle on the big screen.
Now the real question isn’t whether it will stream. It’s whether it will soar.
With Alia Bhatt headlining a spy thriller and the YRF banner behind it, Alpha has all the ingredients of a high-stakes gamble. The only thing left is the release date — and the audience verdict.
