Acclaimed filmmaker Vinod Kapri has issued a scathing condemnation of the Indian exhibition sector following a catastrophic reduction in screen counts for his independent drama “Pyre”. The critical darling has been systematically stripped of theater space to accommodate the unprecedented, multi-screen saturation of the newly released mythological blockbuster Ramayana. Kapri labeled the aggressive theater programming a direct assault on artistic diversity, warning that the complete erasure of smaller, narrative-driven films sets a dangerous precedent for the survival of independent storytelling in the domestic market.
The sudden eviction of “Pyre” from major multiplex chains comes regardless glowing critical reviews and strong initial word-of-mouth amidst its limited opening window. Theater operators nationwide have reportedly converted nearly all available showtimes to the star-studded epic, leaving indie titles with practically zero visibility or unfavorable, late-night slots. Kapri further emphasized that while big-budget spectacles deserve their platform, the total monopolization of screens starves audiences of choice and suffocates independent filmmakers who rely on theatrical exhibition to sustain their craft.
He called upon industry stakeholders and film enthusiasts to resist the monoculture and actively support independent voices before the exhibition landscape becomes entirely homogenized.
News Edit KV Raman
