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Days after Kanu Behl’s Agra finally released in theatres, it appears the film is not receiving a fair number of screens or showtimes. In response, more than 50 members of the film fraternity—including Behl, Nandita Das, Rima Das, and Varun Grover—have issued a joint statement calling for equitable showtimes, transparency in programming, independent film showcase cycles, public-private exhibition support, and fair OTT acquisition policies.
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The joint statement read: “Over the last decade, Indian independent cinema has carried the country’s creative identity to the world—premiering at Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, Locarno, Rotterdam and Busan. These films have expanded the idea of what Indian stories can be. They have been celebrated globally for their honesty, courage and craft.”
The statement continued, “And yet, within India, these films continue to fight simply to be seen.”
Citing the current struggle of Agra, the signatories said that despite the film’s international acclaim, awards, extensive media coverage, and evident audience interest, it is still struggling to secure fair and accessible showtimes across multiplexes.
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They emphasised that this is part of a long-standing systemic pattern that has repeatedly affected independent films in India.
The statement listed several recurring issues faced by indie cinema: severely limited screenings; morning-only or weekday-only slots; sudden show cancellations; lack of transparency in programming decisions; and a disproportionate prioritisation of big-budget releases.
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It also raised concerns about the shifting approach of OTT platforms, which were once seen as the most democratic space for filmmakers.
“They are now increasingly relying on theatrical performance as a prerequisite for acquisition,” the statement noted.
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Just a day before the film’s release, Agra director Kanu Behl took to X to express his frustration. He wrote: “Update on Agra, the film: We’re being denied shows because of the so-called ‘big blockbusters’ and because small films ‘don’t fit into’ multiplex chain programming. It’s up to you, the audience now! Speak up and tag the chains. Say that you want to see the film!”
In another post, he added: “Spread the word. Or this will just go on and on. The space for anything other than mindless, infantilised cinema will disappear.”
A quick check on BookMyShow shows that the film has only 12 screenings in Delhi-NCR on November 18, while Mumbai has just 7 scheduled for the same day — compared to the combined 2,400 shows for the Ajay Devgn–starrer De De Pyaar De 2 across the same cities.
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A similar concern was raised by Vikramaditya Motwane when Pushpa occupied most screens nationwide, leaving the Cannes winner All We Imagine As Light with little to no theatrical space across India.
