Over 50 Prominent Independent Filmmakers Release Joint Statement on Exhibition Crisis Facing Indian Indie Cinema
Approach Bollywood Newswire & App 17 November 2025,
More than 50 leading independent filmmakers from across India have jointly released a strongly worded statement highlighting the systemic challenges in theatrical exhibition and the shrinking space for non-mainstream cinema in the country.
Titled “On Fair Access, Exhibition Inequity, and the Shrinking Space for Independent Cinema”, the open letter uses the limited theatrical release of Kanu Behl’s critically acclaimed film Agra as a recent example of a long-standing issue that affects small and mid-budget films across languages.
The filmmakers, whose works have premiered and won accolades at major international festivals including Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, Locarno, Rotterdam and Busan, stress that while Indian independent cinema enjoys global recognition, it continues to struggle for basic visibility at home.
Among the signatories are:
- Payal Kapadia
- Kanu Behl
- Chaitanya Tamhane
- Rima Das
- Shaunak Sen
- Alankrita Shrivastava
- Devashish Makhija
- Prateek Vats
- Dominic Megam Sangma
- Shonali Bose
- Varun Grover
- Achalchand “Aamir” Bashir
- Aditya Kripalani and many others representing diverse regions and languages.
The statement lists five specific demands directed at multiplex chains, OTT platforms, policymakers and cultural institutions:
- Equitable showtimes with at least one post-6 PM screen for every independent theatrical release
- Full transparency in screen-allocation criteria
- Regular monthly or quarterly indie showcase cycles in multiplexes
- Public-private partnerships to build a national alternative exhibition circuit
- OTT acquisition policies that do not make theatrical performance the sole deciding factor
The letter emphasises that the current system creates a “closed-loop ecosystem” where independent films are denied fair theatrical access yet judged only by box-office numbers for streaming deals.
The filmmakers clarify that they are “not demanding exceptional treatment” but only “fair access — the right for Indian audiences to discover Indian films”.
Within hours of its release earlier today, the statement has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with hashtags such as #FairAccessForIndies gaining traction among cinephiles, critics and industry professionals.
As of now, major multiplex chains and streaming platforms are yet to respond officially.
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