Vijay Deverakonda's Kingdom streams on Netflix amid edit controversy

Vijay Deverakonda's spy action film Kingdom began streaming on Netflix on August 27, ending a short and contested theatrical run that began in late July. The Telugu-language production, directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri and made on a reported budget of Rs 130 crore, is available on Netflix in five Indian languages, including a Hindi dubbed version titled Saamrajya. The streaming date coincides with anniversaries of two milestone films in Deverakonda's career, according to industry notices.

Kingdom follows Suri, a constable who goes undercover to infiltrate a drug cartel on an island off Sri Lanka and discovers links to his missing brother. The film stars Vijay Deverakonda alongside Satyadev and debutante Bhagyashri Borse, with Malayalam actor Venkitesh VP credited as an antagonist. The crew includes composer Anirudh Ravichander, cinematographers Girish Gangadharan and Jomon T. John, and editor Naveen Nooli. It was produced by Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under the banners of Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas.

Commercial and critical responses to Kingdom were mixed. Industry tracker Sacnilk reported worldwide gross receipts of about Rs 82.02 crore, including roughly Rs...