Vinod Kapri, the National Award-winning filmmaker, has raised serious concerns about the way his latest movie Pyre has been sidelined in theatres, just days after its release. Kapri alleges that within its first week, the film lost three-quarters of its screenings, following instructions from distributors or theatre chains that only one other film—presumably one with a much larger release—be showcased in its place.
## From limited release to sudden cuts
Pyre, which tells the poignant tale of an elderly couple living in a quiet Himalayan hamlet and waiting for their children amidst ever-more pronounced solitude, premiered in theatres on October 30. Initially, its release was modest—just about 80 screens. Yet, owing to strong audience reception and critical praise, bookings swelled to roughly 400 screens.
However, Kapri says, things changed sharply. “Over the last two days,” he noted in a video message, “75% of the shows have been cut off, and now the number is less than 100.”
## Behind the cut: ‘Only one film will run’
According to Kapri, theatre owners and distributors have been told that they must cease showing Pyre, with the directive that only one film—implicitly a far larger commercial project—should play across multiple screens. He expressed frustration at the demand that Pyre be pushed out in favor of that one film, questioning the fairness in such treatment. “Is this a win of good over evil? Is there any honor in doing this?” he asked, reiterating that Pyre was a labour of the soul, made with non-professional actors, that has left many viewers moved.
## The elephant in the room: Ramayana takes over
While Kapri did not explicitly name the competing film that led to Pyre’s curtailed run, the timing and facts point toward Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, which released on November 5 and dominated box offices across India. The epic adaptation, produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios, features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman.
Ramayana, a cinematic retelling of the Hindu epic Valmiki’s Ramayana, has earned well over ₹155 crore in its first three days. Its cast also includes Ravi Dubey, Anupam Kher, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor, Adinath Kothare, Arun Govil, Indira Krishnan, and Lara Dutta.
## Filmmaker’s plea for fairness
Kapri’s grievances stem from what he views as unjust and unfair treatment of small-budget films in favour of large-scale productions. His message to distributors and theatre owners was clear: don’t silence films like Pyre simply because they lack the marketing muscle or mainstream hype. “If you have spent a lot of money,” he said, “we have spent our soul in making a film. We deserve a fair chance.”
Despite the cuts, Kapri emphasised that Pyre continues to resonate deeply with its audiences. In his words, viewers “are crying after seeing it.”
## Context: Why this matters
This controversy underscores a longstanding tension in the Indian film distribution system between large-budget blockbusters and independent or niche films. Here’s what’s at stake:
– **Limited screen access**: Smaller films typically struggle to secure a presence in multiplexes and large theatre chains unless they generate strong early buzz. Pyre’s expansion from 80 to 400 screens suggests its potential, but the sharp cutback shows how fragile that momentum can be.
– **Revenue-pressure on theatres**: Big-budget films often promise higher ticket sales and audience pull, which can sway theatre owners to reduce less profitable shows.
– **Artistic fairness vs commercial priorities**: Kapri’s argument is about more than just show timings—it’s about valuing artistic expression and giving voice to stories that aren’t backed by mainstream marketing budgets.
## The community speaks
Though Pyre is small in scale, its reception has been powerful. Though made with non-actors, the emotional impact on its viewers is clearly resonant. Kapri’s message resonated with audiences looking for cinema that tells human stories—unflinchingly, intimately.
## What’s next for Pyre
As things stand, Pyre’s current number of shows has dropped to fewer than 100. Kapri has stated they are in communication with theatre owners and distributors, urging fairness in how films are scheduled and promoted. Whether that will restore Pyre’s presence remains uncertain.
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