Kanu Behl’s film Agra released recently, but the director said it was not getting enough shows. He shared that theatres felt the film was not commercial enough to receive better slots. His comments sparked a debate on social media.
Over the past few days, Kanu has been posting about the issue online. Many fans and industry professionals have supported him. They agreed that indie and art films deserve fair space in theatres.
Kanu and several independent filmmakers in India released a joint statement demanding fair access to exhibition. They spoke about inequality in show distribution and the shrinking space for independent cinema.
The statement noted that indie films have represented India on global platforms for years. Many of them have won awards and gained international praise. Yet the same films return home only to struggle for basic visibility.
They pointed out that small and mid budget films often get very few screenings. Many shows are scheduled at odd hours with low footfall. There are sudden cancellations, unclear programming decisions, and a strong bias toward big budget films.
These filmmakers are not asking for special treatment. They want fair and accessible showtimes, transparent programming, and dedicated independent film showcase cycles. They are also seeking public and private exhibition support and better OTT acquisition policies so that theatrical performance is not the only deciding factor.
Independent filmmakers in India face an uphill battle. Most struggle to raise funds and complete their projects. After winning awards abroad, they return to a system that offers little help. The country takes credit for their success but provides minimal support.
While filmmakers continue to push for change, audiences also have a role. By raising our voices and watching these films, we can help keep the space for indie cinema alive. This will prevent big budget films from gaining a complete monopoly and encourage more filmmakers to create meaningful and innovative cinema.
Joint statement from India’s independent filmmakers: pic.twitter.com/agvricZlqa
— Siddhant Adlakha (@SiddhantAdlakha) November 18, 2025
