India’s indie filmmakers demand fair play from multiplexes

MUMBAI: Morning slots and weekday ghettoes are killing Indian independent cinema. That’s the verdict from 46 of the country’s most acclaimed indie filmmakers, who have issued a joint appeal after Kanu Behl’s award-winning film Agra was buried in inconvenient showtimes following its release on 14  November.

The signatories—a who’s who of India’s independent film scene including Payal Kapadia, Nandita Das, Chaitanya Tamhane, Shonali Bose, Varun Grover and Vasan Bala—say the problem extends far beyond one film. Across India, independent releases routinely get shafted: morning-only screenings, weekday slots, sudden cancellations and zero transparency about how shows are allocated. Meanwhile, multiplexes roll out the red carpet for big-budget blockbusters.

The squeeze has intensified as streaming platforms increasingly tie acquisitions to box-office performance—creating a vicious cycle where indie films get fewer shows, underperform commercially, then struggle to find digital homes.

The filmmakers are demanding five concrete changes: at least one accessible evening show for every independent release; transparent screen allocation criteria; monthly or quarterly indie showcase cycles; support from cultural centres and alternative venues; and streaming deals that don’t hinge solely on theatrical success.
The stakes are high. Over the past decade, Indian independent cinema has become a global calling card—premiering at Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, Locarno, Rotterdam and Busan. These films have reshaped international perceptions of Indian storytelling with their honesty, courage and craft.

“We offer this statement with respect, seriousness and urgency,” the filmmakers write. “No antagonist. No blame. Only the collective need for a healthier ecosystem. Indian independent cinema has shaped how the world sees us. Now, we must shape a system where our own audiences can see us too.”

The appeal has already sparked extensive media coverage. Whether it sparks action from multiplexes is another matter. But with India’s indie directors finally speaking in unison, the exhibition industry may find this is one screening it cannot conveniently schedule for 9am on a Tuesday.