Why did Sunny Deol refuse Gabru’s direct-to-OTT deal and opt for theatrical release? Revealed

Sunny Deol’s Gabru, originally planned as a direct-to-OTT movie, was suddenly announced as a theatrical release on May 8. This left many wondering what really went down. After a long wait, there’s finally an update on when exactly did Sunny change his mind and was sure that Gabru, unlike Ikka, will not be a direct-to-OTT release but will enjoy a theatrical run.

What changed Sunny Deol’s mind to change Gabru from a direct-to-OTT film to theatrical release?

Already touted to be the Satyakam of his career with Salman Khan in a cameo appearance, Gabru had potential to be profitable even with theatrical release. However, Sunny Deol was fully convinced after filmmaker duo Abbas-Mustan of Race franchise fame told the actor that his movie should release in theatres.

“Producers of Gabru wanted an OTT release but after the screenings, Sunny Deol felt it should have a theatrical release as Ikka is also releasing on the OTT. And he was egged on by Abbas Mustan, Anil Sharma and Rahul Rawail,” a source told IANS. That is how Gabru, once a direct-to-OTT film, is now scheduled for a theatrical release. The budget of the movie is reported to be Rs 45-50 crore excluding P&A.

About Ikka

Sunny Deol’s next release after Gabru is expected to be Ikka. The film is a Netflix release likely to be out in June 2026. The film is a courtroom thriller-drama featuring Sunny with Akshaye Khanna.

Why did Sunny Deol make headlines recently?

Apart from his Border 2 role, Sunny Deol more recently made headlines for Lahore 1947, which is reportedly now titled Batwara 1947. The film features the actor in Rajkumar Santoshi directorial and Aamir Khan production.

Sunny Deol is also expected to be in news once his look from Ramyana: Part 1 as Lord Hanuman drops. The movie is expected to release in the second half of 2026, with Part 2 out in 2027.

Sunny Deol FAQs:

Q: What is the box office collection of Border 2?

A: Following its release on January 23, 2026, Border 2 has been a massive success, crossing the ₹300-crore mark at the domestic box office within its first three weeks. It is currently one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year.

Q: When is Sunny Deol’s next movie Gabru releasing?

A: Sunny Deol’s next theatrical release, Gabru, is scheduled to hit cinemas on May 8, 2026. Directed by Shashank Udapurkar, the film is described as a poignant drama where Sunny plays a family man dedicated to human service.

Q: What is Sunny Deol’s role in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana?

A: Sunny Deol portrays Lord Hanuman in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. The film, which also stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita, is slated for a November 2026 (Diwali) release and is being produced on a global scale with world-class VFX.