If you’re hooked on the YRF Spy Universe, here’s some good news, the much-hyped action thriller Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, finally has its Netflix streaming date locked in. After hitting theaters on July 3, 2026, Alpha lands on Netflix on August 28, just eight weeks later.

This is the seventh YRF Spy Universe chapter, and it’s the first time women are leading the charge. Shiv Rawail directs his first feature and mixes up explosive action, a tangled family story, and plenty of secret-agent suspense. If you like stories about hidden identities, betrayal, and sisterhood, all wrapped around a shadowy super-soldier program, you’re in for a ride.

What’s the Story?

Alpha picks up after the Kargil War. Colonel Fateh Singh Lakhawat and Lieutenant Colonel Vikrant Kaul kick off the top-secret Alpha project, think training kids to be elite assassins. Fateh raises Sita (Alia Bhatt), and she grows up with killer instincts but a lot of questions. Eventually, Sita uncovers the truth about her past and brings her long-lost twin, Durga (Sharvari), into the fold. The sisters team up to bring down the dark masterminds behind the Alpha program. You’ll spot some familiar faces from the Spy Universe.

The Cast

Alia Bhatt goes all-in as Sita, the role demands both raw action and real emotion. Sharvari joins as Durga, her estranged twin, and their chemistry crackles in all the right ways. Anil Kapoor plays R&AW chief Vikrant Kaul, adding authority and linking back to the broader franchise. And Bobby Deol? He’s the complicated villain at the heart of it all as Colonel Lakhawat. Hrithik Roshan pops in for a fan-favorite cameo as Kabir Dhaliwal. There’s also Dia Mirza and a solid supporting cast playing military and intelligence roles.

Alpha doesn’t skimp on spectacle. International action choreographers brought the set pieces to life, shooting in Mumbai, Kashmir (in the stunning Sonamarg and Pahalgam), Rajasthan, and even Valladolid, Spain. The soundtrack’s packed with energy, keeping the adrenaline up.

Theatrical Release Drama

This film didn’t take the straightest path to screens. It was supposed to drop on Christmas Day 2025, got pushed to April 2026, and finally landed in theaters on July 3. Post-production and reshoots slowed things down, and YRF wanted to avoid going head-to-head with other biggies. At 140 minutes and cleared as UA 16+, Alpha’s teasers and trailers had everyone waiting to see just how Bollywood would pull off a female-led spy blockbuster.

Box Office: A Mixed Bag

Despite decent hype and good advance bookings in some areas, Alpha opened modestly. The film earned Rs 9.12 crore nett on day one. The budget? Around Rs 130 crore. So, it edged past some early trade predictions but didn’t really explode, with audiences and critics split on whether it truly delivered.

Critical Reaction

Critics had plenty to say. Some agreed the movie swings big: strong action, slick visuals, and finally, women getting the spotlight in a genre usually dominated by men. Alia Bhatt and Sharvari’s stunt work drew praise, and Hrithik’s cameo was a clear crowd-pleaser. But a lot of reviews flagged problems, weak pacing, a script that sometimes loses focus, and some scenes that go heavy on glamour at the expense of depth. On social media, reactions kept rolling in. Some fans raved about the leads; others nitpicked the story and compared it to earlier Spy Universe installments.

The YRF Spy Universe keeps rolling. Whether you already caught Alpha in theaters or you’re saving it for your living room, August 28 is your date with Alia, Sharvari, and a fresh twist on Bollywood espionage. Stay tuned, There’s sure to be more buzz as the Netflix release gets closer.