Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* is now streaming on JioHotstar for Indian viewers. It’s the 36th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), starring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and more.
While this Jake Schreier film struggled at the box office, it’s enjoying a terrific reception from viewers on OTT across the globe. But for Indian audiences, the story is slightly different.
JioHotstar is the official streaming partner for Thunderbolts*, and Marvel fans in India are not happy with how the platform is handling its release.
The main reason behind this dissatisfaction is the excessive number of ad slots in Thunderbolts*. For a 2-hour film, JioHotstar has embedded 13 ad slots, each containing two unskippable ads running around 20–30 seconds long.
What is this comedy @JioHotstar ? normal subscription hai to bc pure 13 ads? pic.twitter.com/SV6I7elp92
— Deepak (@_itzdeepak_) August 29, 2025
Now, the ad-based model is one of JioHotstar’s primary revenue streams, so its use makes sense. But forcing viewers to sit through this many ads is frustrating.
This isn’t the first time the streamer has faced backlash. Since February, JioHotstar’s ad model has drawn heavy criticism, with users repeatedly complaining about the rising frequency of ads and interruptions.
The frustration with JioHotstar isn’t just about commercials; it reflects a deeper issue of balancing revenue with user satisfaction. For platforms like JioHotstar, finding a sustainable business model is crucial, but so is keeping the audience engaged.
The Thunderbolts* situation highlights a growing concern for Indian OTT viewers. While ads are essential for business, platforms like JioHotstar need to rethink how they implement them.
Before Thunderbolts*, Captain America: Brave New World also faced the same issue. That raises a critical question for Indian consumers: can JioHotstar be trusted with big-ticket Hollywood entertainment from a franchise as massive as the MCU?
Right now, its ad-heavy approach, even for paying subscribers, creates a clear disconnect between fan expectations and what’s being delivered. For a brand like Marvel, known for uninterrupted, cinematic storytelling, the constant intrusion of ads feels completely at odds with the experience. Stay tuned for more updates.
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