Now Reading: Film body demands probe into Pyre screen cut after Ramayana release
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Film body demands probe into Pyre screen cut after Ramayana release
The Story in Brief
The All India Cine Workers Association has written to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, demanding an inquiry into the reduction of screens for Vinod Kapri's film Pyre after the release of Ramayana on 5 November. The body has also called for FIRs against theatre owners and distributors found responsible, and a formal screen allocation policy for small-budget films.
The letter, signed by AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, notes that Pyre, made on Rs 2.5 crore, grew from 80 to about 400 screens on positive word of mouth before its shows were cut by about 75% to fewer than 100 screens after Ramayana's release. Gupta acknowledged large films like Ramayana provide employment but argued a big film's success should not come at the cost of a small film that audiences are already embracing. Meanwhile, Kapri announced on Wednesday, 11 November, that over 200 shows of Pyre will be added from Friday, 13 November.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both outlets report the AICWA letter's demands neutrally: a screen allocation policy, an inquiry and FIRs against theatre owners. Hindustan Times foregrounds the dramatic sequence, Kapri's video message, the packed auditoriums claim, the 2.5 crore budget, while Indian Express adds a forward-looking fact absent from the other: Kapri's own announcement that over 200 shows of Pyre will be added from Friday, 13 November. That detail shifts the story from unresolved conflict to partial resolution. The key question is whether the inquiry will lead to systemic policy changes, the screen return date is 13 November.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com (neutral report), indianexpress.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
