Thugs of Hindostan (2018)
DirectorVijay Krishna Acharya
StarringAmitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Fatima Sana Shaikh
Watch onNetflix
Best for: Fans of Hindi adventure-action films who enjoy large-scale rebel-versus-colonial stories and ensemble casts.
Where to watch Thugs of Hindostan online in India
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Apple TV StoreYouTubeAvailability for India, data by JustWatch. Updated 23 October 2026.
Thugs of Hindostan story (no spoilers)
Set after the British company's officer Clive seizes the kingdom of Mirza, Princess Zafira and the rebel leader Khudabaksh, known as Azaad, assemble a band of pirate fighters determined to defeat the English officer and reclaim their freedom. The British Company responds by hiring the cunning thug Firangi Mallah to track Azaad's gang and sabotage their plans. The story unfolds as an adventure-action film, with the rebels navigating sea and land confrontations while Firangi's scheming creates tension within and around the group. The tone is swashbuckling and dramatic, blending large-scale action sequences with a cat-and-mouse conflict between the rebels and the British. At 164 minutes, the film gives ample space to the rivalry between Azaad and Firangi, and the stakes of Zafira's quest for liberation. The Hindi-language film carries a UA certificate in India and features an ensemble led by Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh, with Vijay Krishna Acharya directing.
Should you watch Thugs of Hindostan?
Watch it for
- Amitabh Bachchan as Khudabaksh Azaad and Aamir Khan as Firangi Mallah share the screen in a rebel-versus-schemer dynamic that drives the adventure.
- Director Vijay Krishna Acharya mounts a Hindi-language adventure-action film with a 164-minute runtime, allowing for extended sea and land set pieces.
- Katrina Kaif as Suraiyya and Fatima Sana Shaikh as Zafira Baig anchor the rebel side, with Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as Shanichar and Lloyd Owen as John Clive completing the principal cast.
- The story's core conflict—Princess Zafira and Azaad's pirate band against Clive's British Company—gives the film a clear freedom-fighting throughline.
Skip it if
- You prefer shorter films; the 164-minute runtime demands a significant time commitment.
- You are looking for a light, family-friendly adventure; the UA certificate indicates some content that may not suit young children.
- You want a straightforward hero-versus-villain tale; the presence of Firangi Mallah as a wily thug hired to thwart the gang adds a layer of scheming that may not appeal to all viewers.
Thugs of Hindostan cast
Amitabh Bachchanas Khudabaksh Azaad
Aamir Khanas Firangi Mallah
Katrina Kaifas Suraiyya
Fatima Sana Shaikhas Zafira Baig
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyubas Shanichar
Lloyd Owenas John Clive
Surendra Palas Pavan Ji
Shane John Krugeras Officer
Shaji Choudharyas Bhure LalThugs of Hindostan movie details
| Director | Vijay Krishna Acharya |
|---|---|
| Writer | Vijay Krishna Acharya |
| Music | Atul Gogavale, Ajay Gogavale, John Stewart Eduri |
| Cinematography | Manush Nandan |
| Producer | Aditya Chopra |
| Release date | 8 November 2018 |
| Runtime | 2h 44m (164 minutes) |
| Original language | Hindi |
| Country of origin | India, Malta, Thailand |
| Languages spoken in the film | Hindi |
| Certificate (India) | UA |
| Budget | $31.0 million (approx.) |
| Worldwide box office | $3.1 million (approx.) |
Parental guide: is Thugs of Hindostan family friendly?
This is a general guide based on the UA certificate and action-adventure genre; parental discretion is advised for younger viewers. This is a general guide based on genre and certification.
Our verdict
Thugs of Hindostan brings together Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan in a pirate-rebel adventure against the British Company, with Vijay Krishna Acharya directing a 164-minute Hindi action film. The premise of Zafira and Azaad's fight for freedom, complicated by Firangi Mallah's scheming, offers a dramatic conflict. Whether it works for you depends on your appetite for long, ensemble-driven adventure-action with a UA certificate.
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Where can I watch Thugs of Hindostan online in India?
Thugs of Hindostan is available for subscription streaming on Netflix in India. It can also be rented or bought on Apple TV Store and YouTube.
What is the release date of Thugs of Hindostan?
Thugs of Hindostan was released on 7 November 2018, with a theatrical release in India on 8 November 2018.
Who is in the cast of Thugs of Hindostan?
The cast includes Amitabh Bachchan as Khudabaksh Azaad, Aamir Khan as Firangi Mallah, Katrina Kaif as Suraiyya, Fatima Sana Shaikh as Zafira Baig, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as Shanichar, Lloyd Owen as John Clive, Surendra Pal as Pavan Ji, and Shane John Kruger as Officer.
Who directed Thugs of Hindostan?
Thugs of Hindostan was directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya.
What is the runtime and certificate of Thugs of Hindostan?
Thugs of Hindostan runs for 164 minutes and has a UA certificate in India.
Page last updated 23 October 2026. Facts from TMDB; how we write these pages: editorial policy.