Director Vinod Kapri alleges Pyre shows slashed by 75 percent following Ramayana release

Screen Cutbacks

Filmmaker Vinod Kapri has accused exhibitors and distributors of cutting over 75 percent of shows for his movie Pyre after the release of Ramayana. Kapri posted on Instagram that his modest-budget film started with about 80 shows and grew to over 400 shows within a few days due to good word of mouth. Screenings have now dropped to fewer than 100 shows across multiple cities, including a fall from 66 shows to 16 in Delhi.

The Filmmaker's Appeal

Kapri questioned the fairness of shutting down smaller films to make room for big releases, noting that Pyre was made on a budget of Rs 2.5 crore with non-professional actors. He stated that theatre owners and distributors claimed they were instructed not to screen any other film. An anonymous multiplex manager told Zoom that venues are under a ten-day contract to screen no other film or face action. Filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane also weighed in on the issue, pointing out that multiplexes themselves have engaged in similar strong-arm tactics in the past.

Context

Competition between major blockbusters and independent films for theatre screens is a frequent challenge in the film industry, particularly during major holiday release windows. Smaller films often rely on positive audience word of mouth to build momentum when initial show counts are limited. Issues of screen allocation and monopoly practices have previously affected other acclaimed independent releases like All We Imagine as Light.