Sky Force Lands on OTT: Akshay Kumar Action Flick Gets a Digital Twist After Box Office Flop

A Big Screen Miss Turns Digital Hope

Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya’s action-drama Sky Force hit theaters earlier this year, but after a rough ride at the box office, it’s now gearing up for its OTT debut. Following a string of flops for Akshay in 2024, this film rolled out with high hopes in 2025. Directed by Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani, it was made on a hefty 160 crore budget and pulled in 149.88 crore worldwide. Alongside Akshay, you’ve got Veer Pahariya, Sara Ali Khan, and Nimrat Kaur in the mix. Now, it’s quietly slipped onto the digital scene, but there’s a catch. Sky Force started strong with 12.25 crore on day one, climbed to 22 crore on day two, and hit 28 crore on day three. Then, the numbers tanked, and it ended up a dud. You can catch it on Prime Video now, but it’ll cost you 349 bucks to watch. No word yet from the makers on where to stream it for free. Based on the 1965 Indo-Pak war, the movie even faced bans in Gulf countries. Let’s dig into its journey and what’s next for Akshay!

From Big Hopes to Box Office Blues
Sky Force came out swinging when it hit theaters on January 24, 2025, just before Republic Day. It raked in 12.25 crore on its opening day, jumped to 22 crore the next, and peaked at 28 crore on day three. Everyone thought Akshay was back in the game after a tough 2024. But then, the wheels came off. After that solid weekend, the collections started dropping fast, and the film couldn’t keep up the pace. Made for 160 crore, it only managed 149.88 crore worldwide, falling short of breaking even. Critics gave it decent nods, but the audience just didn’t stick around. The Gulf country bans didn’t help either, cutting off a chunk of its market. With Akshay Kumar leading the charge, plus Veer Pahariya’s debut and Sara Ali Khan and Nimrat Kaur on board, the expectations were sky-high. Sadly, it crashed instead of soaring. Now, it’s looking to find new life online, but will the digital crowd give it a second chance?

OTT Debut with a Price Tag
After bombing at the box office, Sky Force has sneaked onto OTT, but it’s not the free ride you might expect. You can watch it on Prime Video right now, but you’ll need to shell out 349 rupees to rent it. That’s the twist—unlike most big films that land on streaming platforms with your subscription, this one’s got a paywall. The makers haven’t dropped any hints about when or where it might pop up for free, so for now, it’s cash or nothing. This quiet digital drop feels like a last-ditch effort to squeeze some value out of the 160 crore investment. Based on India’s first airstrike during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, it’s got a patriotic punch, but the Gulf bans hurt its reach. Akshay fans might still fork over the money, but will it pull in casual viewers? Time will tell if this rental gamble pays off or if it’s just another bump in the road.

The Story Behind Sky Force’s Struggles
Sky Force was all about grit and glory, diving into the 1965 Indo-Pak war with Akshay Kumar playing a gutsy air force officer. Veer Pahariya stepped up as a rookie pilot, with Sara Ali Khan and Nimrat Kaur adding some star power. The film had a slick setup—big action, real history, and a 160 crore budget to back it up. It kicked off strong, pulling in over 62 crore in its first three days. But then, the momentum fizzled. Daily earnings dipped, and it wrapped up with 149.88 crore worldwide—not enough to call it a win. On top of that, Gulf countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia banned it, likely over its war storyline, shrinking its audience. Critics liked Akshay’s grit and Veer’s fresh face, but something didn’t click with the masses. Now on OTT, it’s a chance to reach folks who skipped the theaters. Will its action-packed tale find a home online, or stay grounded?

What’s Next for Akshay Kumar?
Akshay Kumar’s got a packed slate ahead despite Sky Force’s stumble. He’s not slowing down after this box office miss and is ready to bounce back. Up next, he’s got Jolly LLB 3, teaming up with the law again, and Kannaappa, his Telugu debut, which has fans buzzing. Then there’s Housefull 5, promising some comedy chaos in 2025. Looking to 2026, he’s lined up Bhoot Bangla, a spooky laugh-fest with Priyadarshan, plus Welcome to the Jungle and the long-awaited Hera Pheri 3 with his old crew. Fans are hyped, hoping he’ll hit his stride again. After a rocky 2024 and a shaky start to 2025 with Sky Force, Akshay’s banking on these projects to turn things around. Sky Force might’ve flopped, but his die-hard supporters are still rooting for him. Can he reclaim his box office crown with this lineup? We’ll see how these flicks play out!