Prioritise our films: Anurag Kashyap on Bandar's struggle against Obsession
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap criticised theatres for giving limited shows to Indian films like Bandar while the Hollywood film Obsession continued to dominate screens. He questioned how local cinema could grow without better screen allocation and visibility.
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap voiced his frustration over the way theatres are scheduling Obsession while giving very limited space to Indian films such as Bandar and Main Vaapas Aaunga. In a social media post, he said his concern was not the popularity of the Hollywood horror film, but the lack of proper showcasing for local releases
Kashyap said the problem had persisted for two weeks. He wrote that Bandar faced the same issue last week, and that this week Main Vaapas Aaunga, Sing Geetham and Governor were also being sidelined, even as Obsession continued to get six to seven shows in some cinemas.
Kashyap wrote, “I totally understand that everyone wants to see OBSESSION, but it can still run longer with lesser shows. If we don't prioritise our own films with better showcasing, then I don't understand how will we grow (sic).”
He also wrote, “Last week it was with Bandar, this week with Main Vaapas Aaunga, Sing Geetham and Governor.. while Obsession is in 6-7 shows (sic).”
He said some cinemas had only one morning show for Main Vaapas Aaunga, with perhaps one more in a few places. He added that Governor was in a similar position, while Sing Geetham had no show in Bengaluru.
Kashyap’s remarks came amid a crowded Friday at the box office, with nine films releasing on the same day: Main Vaapas Aaunga, Governor, Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, Haunted 3D, Sing Geetham, Varavu, Disclosure Day, Backrooms and Heer Sara. The crowded release slate raised questions about whether there were enough screens to accommodate all the titles, whether such a strategy was wise, and what it could mean for the films' opening weekend prospects.
More about Bandar and Obsession
Bandar centres on a struggling actor-musician accused of rape by a young woman, while he maintains that their encounters were consensual. Obsession, on the other hand, follows Bear, a lonely employee at a music shop, who uses a supernatural wish to make his friend Nikki fall in love with him, only for it to take a violent turn as she gradually loses her sense of self.
India Today’s review of Obsession said, “Scenes linger a little too long. Conversations feel emotionally wrong before they become physically dangerous. Even silence begins to feel threatening. Barker shoots loneliness like a disease slowly infecting every frame.”
Bandar received 2.5 stars. A part of the review read, “The film wants to talk about false allegations, public shaming and the brutality of the justice system. But somewhere along the way, it begins to stack the emotional deck in Samar’s favour.”
The review added that questions of rejection, power dynamics, accountability and public perception were addressed, but not explored with the same depth as Samar’s suffering.
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap voiced his frustration over the way theatres are scheduling Obsession while giving very limited space to Indian films such as Bandar and Main Vaapas Aaunga. In a social media post, he said his concern was not the popularity of the Hollywood horror film, but the lack of proper showcasing for local releases
Kashyap said the problem had persisted for two weeks. He wrote that Bandar faced the same issue last week, and that this week Main Vaapas Aaunga, Sing Geetham and Governor were also being sidelined, even as Obsession continued to get six to seven shows in some cinemas.
Kashyap wrote, “I totally understand that everyone wants to see OBSESSION, but it can still run longer with lesser shows. If we don't prioritise our own films with better showcasing, then I don't understand how will we grow (sic).”
He also wrote, “Last week it was with Bandar, this week with Main Vaapas Aaunga, Sing Geetham and Governor.. while Obsession is in 6-7 shows (sic).”
He said some cinemas had only one morning show for Main Vaapas Aaunga, with perhaps one more in a few places. He added that Governor was in a similar position, while Sing Geetham had no show in Bengaluru.
Kashyap’s remarks came amid a crowded Friday at the box office, with nine films releasing on the same day: Main Vaapas Aaunga, Governor, Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, Haunted 3D, Sing Geetham, Varavu, Disclosure Day, Backrooms and Heer Sara. The crowded release slate raised questions about whether there were enough screens to accommodate all the titles, whether such a strategy was wise, and what it could mean for the films' opening weekend prospects.
More about Bandar and Obsession
Bandar centres on a struggling actor-musician accused of rape by a young woman, while he maintains that their encounters were consensual. Obsession, on the other hand, follows Bear, a lonely employee at a music shop, who uses a supernatural wish to make his friend Nikki fall in love with him, only for it to take a violent turn as she gradually loses her sense of self.
India Today’s review of Obsession said, “Scenes linger a little too long. Conversations feel emotionally wrong before they become physically dangerous. Even silence begins to feel threatening. Barker shoots loneliness like a disease slowly infecting every frame.”
Bandar received 2.5 stars. A part of the review read, “The film wants to talk about false allegations, public shaming and the brutality of the justice system. But somewhere along the way, it begins to stack the emotional deck in Samar’s favour.”
The review added that questions of rejection, power dynamics, accountability and public perception were addressed, but not explored with the same depth as Samar’s suffering.
