Kanu Behl’s critically acclaimed Agra, which premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight section, faced a harsh reality check upon its Indian theatrical debut on November 14, 2025. Despite international praise for its raw exploration of patriarchy and male sexual misery, the film struggled to secure screens, limited to inconvenient morning or weekday slots in multiplexes. Behl took to X, lamenting, “We’re being denied shows because of the so-called ‘big blockbusters’ and because small films ‘don’t fit into’ multiplex chain programming.” The backlash highlights the shrinking space for independent cinema in India, where blockbusters dominate exhibition.
The Joint Statement: 46 Voices Demand Fair Access
In a powerful show of solidarity, 46 independent filmmakers—including Nandita Das, Payal Kapadia, Rima Das, Ajitpal Singh, Alankrita Shrivastava, Shaunak Sen, Shonali Bose, and Varun Grover—issued a joint statement on November 17, 2025. Shared by Behl on Instagram, it decries systemic barriers plaguing indie films. “They have been celebrated globally for their honesty, courage and craft. And yet, within India, these films continue to fight simply to be seen,” the statement reads, spotlighting Agra’s plight as a symptom of larger inequities.
The filmmakers call out “severely limited screenings, morning-only or weekday-only slots, sudden cancellations, and lack of transparency” in multiplex programming. They also criticize OTT platforms for prioritizing box-office numbers, creating a vicious cycle where indies get fewer shows yet are expected to “perform.” “This is eliminating entire generations of independent filmmakers,” the statement warns, urging at least one accessible evening show per indie film and transparent allocation criteria.
Broader Industry Echoes: A Pattern of Marginalization
The uproar echoes long-standing frustrations. Manoj Bajpayee voiced support on X: “It has been so long fighting this battle, and indie makers and their art often get overlooked.” Agra, backed by Saregama India Ltd., UFO Production, and O28 Films, had a robust festival run at Venice, Berlin, and Sundance, yet faces erasure at home. The signatories—winners at Cannes, Venice, and Sundance—argue that indies have put India on the global map, yet domestic systems favor “infantilised cinema.”
A Call to Action: Fighting for Fair Play
The statement demands monthly indie showcase cycles and alternative venues. “We are not demanding exceptional treatment. We are demanding fair access—the right for Indian audiences to discover Indian films,” it concludes. As Agra relies on word-of-mouth amid sparse shows, the unity signals a turning point.
Indie’s Insistent Roar
Agra’s struggle isn’t isolated—it’s indictment. As 46 voices unite against barriers, it thunders: Can equity eclipse exhibition? Their collective cry affirms yes, scripting a revolution where indies ignite India’s cinematic dawn.
-By Manoj H