Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap criticises cinema owners for giving limited theatrical showings to smaller and mid-budget Indian films, saying they struggle to find audiences and are later appreciated only after they move to OTT. In interviews reported by multiple outlets, Kashyap specifically mentions films such as Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga and his own Bandar, arguing that they do not get screens comparable to Hollywood releases. He says he becomes upset when audiences praise his work years after its release on streaming platforms, because many people report they did not watch the films in theatres when they were running.
Kashyap also contrasts the current approach with earlier industry practices, recalling how his 2014 film Ugly received support that helped it get at least several showings even amid major competition. He warns that prioritising large “event” films can be financially risky for theatres, because it reduces space for content-driven titles that rely on word-of-mouth and gradual audience building. He cites the example of Hollywood titles continuing to perform even with fewer shows.
