Anurag Kashyap’s long-delayed ‘Kennedy’ to finally land on OTT in India

Anurag Kashyap’s long-delayed neo-noir thriller Kennedy is finally set for its Indian release, with the film scheduled to premiere on ZEE5 on February 20, 2026. The digital launch marks the first time Indian audiences will be able to officially watch the film, nearly three years after its world premiere.

Kennedy, written and directed by Kashyap, stars Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone and marks their third collaboration following Ugly and Dobaaraa. The film debuted in the Midnight Screenings section at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a strong reception, including a standing ovation. It later toured an extensive international festival circuit, screening at events such as the Sydney Film Festival, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Fantastic Fest in the US, and the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.

Despite being certified for release, Kennedy never received a theatrical rollout in India, contributing to prolonged uncertainty around its domestic availability. In December 2025, the film became the only Indian title selected for the launch lineup of Letterboxd’s Video Store, giving it limited global TVOD exposure across more than 20 countries, though India remained excluded at the time.

Announcing the OTT release, Kashyap shared a message on social media, calling the film a “labour of love” and expressing gratitude that it would finally reach audiences at home after travelling internationally.

The story follows Uday Shetty, an insomniac former police officer presumed dead who operates under the alias Kennedy while working as a covert enforcer within a corrupt system. Set largely in Mumbai, the film explores themes of guilt, moral decay and redemption, with Sunny Leone playing Charlie, a pivotal figure who alters Kennedy’s trajectory.

The supporting cast includes Mohit Takalkar, Abhilash Thapliyal and Megha Burman, with a special appearance by poet Aamir Aziz. The film’s original score was recorded in Prague with the Prague Philharmonic Choir.