Alpha marks the newest addition to Yash Raj Films’ expanding Spy Universe and brings together Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in lead roles. Designed as the studio’s first espionage thriller driven by female protagonists, the film was positioned as a significant shift within the franchise. Bobby Deol also features prominently in the project, and audiences were offered an early look at his character through a brief appearance in War 2. As anticipation around the film continues to build, recent reports have suggested that its release strategy may be undergoing a major rethink.
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According to information shared with Deccan Chronicle by an insider familiar with the project, Aditya Chopra had initially envisioned Alpha as a landmark film that would strengthen the female-led action genre. The success of earlier projects like Mardaani had raised hopes that audiences would embrace a woman-centric spy narrative, allowing Alpha to be projected as a defining action vehicle for Alia Bhatt. However, circumstances within the studio’s slate appear to have altered those plans.
The same source indicated that the underwhelming performance of Mardaani 3, combined with the reported setbacks faced by War 2, has placed Alpha in an uncertain position at Yash Raj Films. As per these claims, the film is currently in a holding phase, with discussions underway about bypassing theatres altogether. The report further suggested that a direct release on an OTT platform is being considered, although it also mentioned that Alia Bhatt is not in favour of this approach. No official confirmation has been issued regarding these claims so far.
In 2024, Alia Bhatt addressed the risks associated with the project while attending the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah. Speaking about Alpha, she highlighted that it represents the first female-fronted action film within the YRF Spy Universe. She acknowledged that such films have historically not delivered box office results on par with male-led action franchises, making the venture both ambitious and uncertain. Her comments were later quoted by Deadline.
Originally slated for a Christmas 2025 release, Alpha has since been postponed. Yash Raj Films has now officially scheduled the film for release on April 17, 2026. The production house confirmed the revised date, explaining that the visual effects work requires additional time to ensure the film meets the studio’s quality standards.
Elaborating on the delay, a spokesperson for YRF stated that Alpha holds special significance for the banner and that the team is committed to delivering a visually spectacular cinematic experience. The decision to postpone the release, the spokesperson added, was taken to allow the VFX team sufficient time to refine the film without compromise.
Audiences were first introduced to Alpha’s premise through a post-credit sequence in War 2. The scene featured Bobby Deol making a surprise entry into the Spy Universe, where his character stamped an agency insignia on a young girl’s hand. When questioned about its meaning, he revealed the name Alpha, describing it as a symbol of being the first, the fastest, and the strongest—setting the tone for the new chapter ahead.
ng
According to information shared with Deccan Chronicle by an insider familiar with the project, Aditya Chopra had initially envisioned Alpha as a landmark film that would strengthen the female-led action genre. The success of earlier projects like Mardaani had raised hopes that audiences would embrace a woman-centric spy narrative, allowing Alpha to be projected as a defining action vehicle for Alia Bhatt. However, circumstances within the studio’s slate appear to have altered those plans.
The same source indicated that the underwhelming performance of Mardaani 3, combined with the reported setbacks faced by War 2, has placed Alpha in an uncertain position at Yash Raj Films. As per these claims, the film is currently in a holding phase, with discussions underway about bypassing theatres altogether. The report further suggested that a direct release on an OTT platform is being considered, although it also mentioned that Alia Bhatt is not in favour of this approach. No official confirmation has been issued regarding these claims so far.
In 2024, Alia Bhatt addressed the risks associated with the project while attending the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah. Speaking about Alpha, she highlighted that it represents the first female-fronted action film within the YRF Spy Universe. She acknowledged that such films have historically not delivered box office results on par with male-led action franchises, making the venture both ambitious and uncertain. Her comments were later quoted by Deadline.
Originally slated for a Christmas 2025 release, Alpha has since been postponed. Yash Raj Films has now officially scheduled the film for release on April 17, 2026. The production house confirmed the revised date, explaining that the visual effects work requires additional time to ensure the film meets the studio’s quality standards.
Elaborating on the delay, a spokesperson for YRF stated that Alpha holds special significance for the banner and that the team is committed to delivering a visually spectacular cinematic experience. The decision to postpone the release, the spokesperson added, was taken to allow the VFX team sufficient time to refine the film without compromise.
Audiences were first introduced to Alpha’s premise through a post-credit sequence in War 2. The scene featured Bobby Deol making a surprise entry into the Spy Universe, where his character stamped an agency insignia on a young girl’s hand. When questioned about its meaning, he revealed the name Alpha, describing it as a symbol of being the first, the fastest, and the strongest—setting the tone for the new chapter ahead.
