Is Hotstar Only for India? Here's Where You Can Actually Watch It

Published on June 14, 2025 | By Behind Celeb

Hotstar, now branded as Disney+ Hotstar in some regions, originated in India—but **it’s not exclusive to India**. Here’s a breakdown of where it’s available and how to access it abroad.

Regional Availability

According to official sources, Disney+ Hotstar is offered in **India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand**. In markets like **Singapore, Canada, and the UK**, a version of Hotstar caters to the Indian diaspora, alongside standalone Disney+ services [Wikipedia].

Where It Isn’t Supported

The Hotstar app itself isn’t officially supported in the **US, UAE, Nepal, or Australia**, except where Disney+ or Hulu carry some Hotstar content. Users in these regions are blocked from accessing the full Hotstar experience [TechNadu].

VPNs & Smart DNS Workarounds

Many fans use VPNs or Smart DNS services—like Surfshark, ExpressVPN, or Getflix—to access the Indian library while abroad. Yet, some report that geo-blocking and phone verification still prevent full access 1.

Version Differences by Region

The service’s branding varies: - **JioHotstar** in India (after merging with JioCinema) - **Disney+ Hotstar** in Southeast Asia - **Hotstar (Indian edition)** in Western countries Content libraries differ based on licensing and regional strategy [Wikipedia].

Conclusion

So, is Hotstar only for India? **No—but its full content library is primarily available in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.** Other countries have limited versions, and while VPNs can help access the Indian library, it’s not officially supported.

Are you trying to watch Hotstar from abroad? Share your experience in the comments!