Give us one show: Pyre director Vinod Kapri appeals amid Ramayana's theatrical run

Amid the release of Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, filmmaker Vinod Kapri has raised concerns over the reduction in screenings for his film Pyre. Despite nearly 90 per cent of its shows running houseful, Kapri says the film is now playing on around 70-75 screens and has appealed to theatre owners to give it at least one show in cities where it has been "taken off the schedule.”In an interview with India Today, Kapri said the film had received a positive response from audiences, with its screenings initially increasing after a limited theatrical release. He explained that the makers had deliberately opted for a smaller release because of the film's modest budget.“We went for around 80 screens. Normally, when a film gets a positive response, shows are automatically added. This is the standard practice, and I was aware of it,” he said.Kapri recalled how the film's screenings increased in Delhi, from around 11 to 13 shows on its first day to nearly 70 by the fifth day. He said the response during the first four to five days was encouraging. By sixth day, the film ran in nearly 355 halls. However, the director is now concerned about the film's reduced presence in several important centres. He said Pyre is currently playing on around 70 to 75 screens, with nearly 90 per cent of its shows running houseful.“In Delhi, yesterday almost all shows were houseful. Noida, all shows were houseful. Dehradun, all shows were houseful. In Bengaluru, we have only one show, and that is also going houseful,” he said. Kapri pointed out that the film has no screenings in some cities, while its presence has been reduced to a single show in others. He cited Nainital, Prayagraj and Bareilly as places where the film has no shows. In Haldwani, he said, the number of daily screenings had dropped from around 12 or 13 to just one. Rudrapur, too, has only one show.The director said he was not asking exhibitors to allot the film a large number of screens. Instead, he wants it to have a basic presence in these locations.“We are not asking for 10-12 shows or four shows. We are expecting only one show, at least in cities where there are no shows. And in cities where only one show is running, there should be at least two or three,” he said.Kapri also flagged the timing of some screenings, pointing to a show in Pune scheduled for 11.59 pm. He questioned whether audiences would be able to attend a film screening at such a late hour.He said his concern was not simply about the number of screens, but about giving a film that is finding an audience a fair chance to reach more viewers. “If there is a demand, there is an audience. So we should at least get a fair chance. That's the only thing we want,” he added.Directed by Vinod Kapri, Pyre is set in a remote Himalayan village in Uttarakhand. The film follows an elderly couple, Padam and Gauri, who are among the last remaining residents of their village. As they navigate loneliness, ageing and the gradual disappearance of the community around them, their relationship becomes the emotional centre of the story.The film explores themes of love, companionship, migration and life in India's mountain villages. It hit cinemas on October 30, 2026.- Ends