Film workers' body seeks probe after Pyre loses 75% screens amid Ramayana release

Filmmaker Vinod Kapri’s film Pyre may have received encouraging reviews and a positive response from audiences, but its theatrical run has run into trouble over the availability of screens. Now, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has stepped in to support the film, writing to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and seeking an inquiry into the reduction in its screen count.The association has also called for changes to the film distribution system, arguing that smaller productions should get a fair opportunity to reach audiences.AICWA seeks inquiry into Pyre's reduced screen countIn a letter addressed to Vaishnaw, AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta raised concerns over the treatment of small-budget films in theatres. He cited Pyre, reportedly made on a budget of Rs 2.5 crore, as an example of a film that initially expanded its theatrical presence through positive word of mouth.According to the letter, the film's screen count grew from 80 to nearly 400 before falling to fewer than 100 following the release of Ramayana. The association has questioned why a film that was receiving a good audience response saw such a sharp reduction in its theatrical availability. Gupta clarified that the association was not against the release or success of Ramayana, acknowledging the employment opportunities created by a large production."I do not oppose Ramayana: Rise of Legend. It is a large-budget film that has given work to hundreds of workers, technicians, junior artists and artists across every department. It should succeed, so that producers profit and workers are paid on time. But a big film's success should not come at the cost of a small film that audiences are already embracing," he wrote. The AICWA president also referred to films such as Hanuman Ansh to underline the importance of smaller productions in the Indian film industry. The statement says HanuMan, but it most likely means Vishal Chaturvedi's film, which was made on a reported budget of Rs 2 crore and earned more than Rs 450 crore at the box office.Gupta said independent filmmakers often struggle to raise funds and secure theatrical releases, making it particularly difficult for them to sustain their businesses. He warned that removing even a film that is finding an audience could discourage independent producers, limit opportunities for new talent and affect the livelihoods of thousands of film workers."Small Films, Big Dreams: Give Them Screens, Give Them a Chance!" Vinod Kapri's Pyre, made on just 2.5 crore, grew from 80 to about 400 screens on audience love alone. Then, as Mr. Kapri alleges, its shows were cut by nearly 75% to make room for a big-budget release. We do not oppose big films. Big films give Indian cinema its scale, but small films give it its future. Every big name once started small. AICWA President Er Suresh Shyamlal Gupta has written to Hon'ble Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, demanding: A Fair Screen Allocation Policy for Indian Cinema An impartial inquiry into the cutting of Pyre's shows Maximum screens and shows for Pyre FIR against those found guilty This system must end, or small dreams will end with it. | #Pyre | #VinodKapri | #SmallFilms |#FairScreenAllocation | #IndianCinema |#AICWA | #AllIndianCineWorkersAssociation | | @AshwiniVaishnaw | @MIB_India | @vinodkapri | @ANI | @PTI_News | @ians_india | @sureshsgupta |— All Indian Cine Workers Association (@aicwaofficial) November 11, 2026What has AICWA demanded?The association has placed several demands before the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. These include:A fair screen allocation policy for Indian cinema, particularly to protect smaller productions.A grievance redressal mechanism for independent and low-budget filmmakers.An impartial inquiry into the reduction of Pyre's screen count from nearly 400 to fewer than 100 despite its reported positive audience response.FIRs against theatre owners and distributors found guilty of wrongdoing following the inquiry.Restoration of as many screens and shows for Pyre as possible while the inquiry is under way.The association believes that a more transparent distribution system is necessary to ensure that smaller films are not pushed out of theatres because of the arrival of big-budget releases.What Vinod Kapri said about Pyre's theatrical releaseKapri had earlier raised the issue in a video message shared on X, alleging that theatre owners and distributors had been instructed to prioritise one film at the expense of other releases.Although he did not name the film, his remarks came shortly after the release of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana.Questioning the practice of limiting theatrical space for smaller films, Kapri said, "I do not understand why you have to run your film by stopping other films? Is this a win of good over evil? Is there any honour in doing this?"The filmmaker also spoke about the effort that goes into making an independent production, pointing out that while big films involve substantial financial investments, smaller films are often made with the personal commitment and resources of their creators."This is a small film, with non-actors, and people are crying after seeing it. What honour, truth and goodness do you boast when this is the way theatres are ordered?" he said.Urging cinema owners and distributors to give Pyre a fair opportunity, Kapri added that smaller filmmakers deserved the chance to find their audience."If you have spent a lot of money, then we have spent our soul in making a film. We deserve a fair chance," he said.His post was captioned: "This is not fair, not to Pyre. Not to your audience."All about PyreDirected by National Award-winning filmmaker Vinod Kapri, Pyre is a story about an elderly couple living in a Himalayan village. As the village grows increasingly quiet and their children remain away, the couple continue to wait for them.Made on a reported budget of Rs 2.5 crore, the film features newcomers and has drawn attention for its understated portrayal of loneliness, ageing and life in the mountains.The controversy over its theatrical release has once again brought the challenges faced by independent filmmakers and smaller productions into focus, particularly when they compete for screens with big-budget films.- Ends