Mumbai: Filmmaker Kiran Rao reflected on the mounting challenges of making and distributing independent films in India while speaking at the 14th Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF).
Discussing India’s official Oscar entry Homebound, Rao noted that audiences today have a more diverse cinematic taste, thanks to streaming platforms that have brought indie films to a wider viewership.
However, she questioned whether that same audience is willing to support such films in theatres.
“Will you actually reach into your pocket for ₹150 to watch a Homebound or Sabar Bonda? That’s the defining question for us as filmmakers. Why do we keep making these films if we don’t have an assured audience? Is it really worth investing time, money, and effort? It drives me crazy all the time,” said the Laapataa Ladies director.
A long-time champion of independent cinema, Rao has produced and supported several critically acclaimed films over the years.
She pointed out that while opportunities for filmmakers have increased, there remains “a real gap in the distribution of independent films.”
“It’s a blind spot in the film ecosystem — we can’t truly know the size of our audience until we fix it. We all love the theatrical experience, watching films together, hearing filmmakers talk about their craft. But most people simply don’t have access to that option. That’s the reality,” she observed.
