Netflix’s ‘Glory’ Unravels a Boxing Family’s Dark Secrets in Haryana

Key facts

• ‘Glory’ premieres on Netflix on May 1, 2026.
• The series is created by Karan Anshuman and co-written with Karmanya Ahuja.
• Filming took place in Punjab and wrapped in mid-May 2025.
• Pulkit Samrat makes his web series lead debut as boxer Ravinder Singh.
• Suvinder Vicky plays Raghubir Singh, a toxic patriarch and boxing coach.
• The plot centers on the murder of Olympic prospect Nihal Singh and the assault of his sister Gudiya.
• A real boxing bout between Pulkit Samrat and professional Neeraj Goyat promoted the trailer.
• This is the second collaboration between Netflix and Karan Anshuman’s Atomic Films after ‘Rana Naidu’.

A Murder That Shatters a Family and a Sport

On May 1, 2026, Netflix will release ‘Glory’, a Hindi crime-thriller series that plunges into the violent underbelly of competitive boxing in Haryana. The story begins with the mysterious death of Nihal Singh, a promising Olympic hopeful, whose body is found at the National Sports Institute. His sister Gudiya is left in critical condition after an attack, forcing her two estranged brothers to return to their hometown of Shaktigarh. The brothers, Devinder and Ravinder Singh, must navigate a corrupt boxing circuit and confront their own traumatic past. All evidence points to the National Sports Institute, but the deeper mystery lies within their own family. The series blends sports drama, crime investigation, and family dynamics, asking how far people will go for success and what they are willing to lose.

The Toxic Patriarch at the Center of the Storm

At the heart of ‘Glory’ is Raghubir Singh, played by Punjabi actor Suvinder Vicky, who earned critical acclaim for his role in Netflix’s ‘Kohrra’. Raghubir is a former star boxer turned coach of the Haryana Boxing Club, revered by the world as an idealist who molds Olympians. But his sons know him as a manipulative, abusive man who exploited his children for his own pursuit of glory. The series reveals that Raghubir’s toxic ambition broke his family apart, and he feels no remorse. In a shocking twist, he is ultimately responsible for his daughter Gudiya’s death, a revelation that mirrors the toxic patriarchy prevalent in Haryana. The writers craft Raghubir as a sympathetic, grieving father at first, only to expose the darkness within.

Two Brothers, Two Paths to Justice

Divyendu Sharma, known for his acclaimed role as Munna Tripathi in ‘Mirzapur’, plays the eldest son Devinder Singh. Dev is a hot-headed invalid due to his father’s abuse and suffers from PTSD. He harbors deep hatred for Raghubir and possesses a strong moral compass, driving him to risk his life to avenge his sister. His younger brother Ravinder, played by Pulkit Samrat in his web series lead debut, is a talented boxer struggling with guilt after accidentally killing a fellow boxer in the ring. Ravi, the favorite son, is more lenient toward their father but hides his own secrets, including an affair with his best friend’s wife. The brothers’ differing approaches to their father and the investigation create a tense dynamic, with Dev representing raw justice and Ravi embodying conflicted loyalty.

A Stellar Ensemble Cast and Layered Characters

Beyond the core family, ‘Glory’ features a strong supporting cast. Ashutosh Rana plays Viju Sangwan, Raghubir’s rival and coach of Shakti Boxing Academy, who is not above unethical tactics but maintains his own moral code. Sayani Gupta portrays journalist Joyna Hazarika, who has personal reasons to join the murder investigation. Sikandar Kher appears as gangster Kookie Yadav, while Zakir Hussain plays crooked police chief DSP Phogat. Kashmira Pardeshi plays Bharati, Inspector Arvind’s wife and a former victim of trafficking who becomes an agent in the trafficking ring. Vishal Vashishtha plays Inspector Arvind, a straight-arrow cop whose impotency leads to deep insecurity and a violent attempt on his wife’s life. Each character exposes the hidden follies of a society that values excellence over moral strength.

Behind the Scenes: Training, Promotion, and Production

Filming for ‘Glory’ began in Punjab shortly after its announcement at the Next on Netflix 2025 event and wrapped in mid-May 2025. Actor Pulkit Samrat underwent extensive boxing training to portray his role convincingly. To promote the trailer, Netflix staged a real boxing bout between Samrat and professional boxer Neeraj Goyat, a contestant on ‘Ultimate Beastmaster’ Season 2. The series is created by Karan Anshuman, who co-wrote it with Karmanya Ahuja, both veterans of the Netflix Original ‘Rana Naidu’. Dialogue was written by Vaibhav Vishal, another ‘Rana Naidu’ co-writer. Anshuman shares directing duties with Kanishk Varma, known for the film ‘Footfairy’. This marks the second collaboration between Netflix and Anshuman’s Atomic Films.

A Cautionary Tale About the Cost of Glory

‘Glory’ distinguishes itself from typical Indian sports dramas by exposing the ugliness hidden beneath high ideals of sportsmanship. In a country where a career in sports requires fighting society, red tape, corruption, and politics, the series shows how a hell-bent pursuit of success blinds people to their hubris. Raghubir’s character embodies the toxic patriarchal condition that values excellence over integrity. The series also tackles themes of trafficking, abuse, and moral compromise. Bharati’s backstory as a trafficking victim turned agent illustrates how the patriarchal system perpetuates itself. Inspector Arvind’s hidden violence reveals how societal shame can corrupt even the most upright individuals. ‘Glory’ builds a layered narrative where loyalty is fragile and ambition comes at a price.

What Lies Ahead: Questions of Justice and Redemption

As the brothers close in on the truth, the series leaves viewers to speculate whether the police and the siblings can identify the real murderer and the motive behind Nihal’s homicide. The trailer hints at a gripping investigation with a catchy background score, but the deeper question is whether the family can heal from its toxic legacy. ‘Glory’ promises a gripping look at how far people will go to achieve success—and what they are willing to lose along the way. With its strong ensemble cast and unflinching portrayal of societal flaws, the series is poised to spark conversations about the dark side of ambition and the cost of glory in modern India.

The bottom line

• ‘Glory’ premieres on Netflix on May 1, 2026, blending crime, sports, and family drama.
• The series exposes toxic patriarchy and corruption in Haryana’s boxing circuit.
• Suvinder Vicky’s Raghubir Singh is a layered antagonist whose ambition destroys his family.
• Divyendu Sharma and Pulkit Samrat portray estranged brothers seeking justice for their sister.
• The show features a real boxing match between Pulkit Samrat and pro boxer Neeraj Goyat for promotion.
• Created by Karan Anshuman, it is the second Netflix collaboration with Atomic Films after ‘Rana Naidu’.