Acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has never shied away from speaking his mind, and his latest comments on the sudden shift of Nishaanchi 2 from cinemas to Amazon Prime Video are no different. What started as a modest theatrical release quickly turned into a direct-to-digital premiere, leaving many fans surprised. In a candid interview, Kashyap clarified the decision, took aim at multiplex chains, and opened up about the constant struggle independent cinema faces in India.

A Joint Decision, Not a Forced Exit

Contrary to rumors that the film was “dumped” on OTT after poor box-office numbers, Kashyap revealed that moving Nishaanchi 2 to Prime Video was a collaborative choice between his team and Amazon MGM Studios.

“We saw the writing on the wall within the first weekend,” he said. “Instead of letting the film bleed in theatres with zero shows, we decided together that reaching audiences directly through streaming made more sense.”

The film, a gritty Marathi-Hindi bilingual thriller, opened to glowing reviews but struggled to secure prime-time slots in major multiplex chains. Limited morning shows and rapid pull-outs sealed its theatrical fate within days.

The Multiplex Problem: “They Only Care About Big-Budget Event Films”

Kashyap didn’t hold back while criticizing the current exhibition model in India. “Multiplexes have become event-driven machines,” he remarked. “If your film doesn’t have a superstar face or a ₹100-crore marketing blitz, you’re pushed to 8 a.m. shows or smaller screens where families won’t even notice you exist.”

He pointed out that even critically appreciated smaller films now get fewer than 400 shows nationwide on their opening day — a steep drop compared to just a few years ago. “The audience isn’t rejecting good cinema,” Kashyap stressed. “The system is deliberately choking it.”

Creative Integrity vs Commercial Realities

For a director known for uncompromising stories — from Gangs of Wasseypur to Dev.D and Ugly — the repeated sidelining of his projects remains a bitter pill. “I make films I believe in,” he said. “Sometimes they travel, sometimes they don’t. But when the platform itself doesn’t allow people to discover your work, it feels like you’re being punished for not playing the star-driven game.”

Yet, Kashyap remains optimistic about the OTT route. “Prime Video believed in the film from day one. They promoted it aggressively, and the response has been overwhelming. More people have watched Nishaanchi 2 in its first week on streaming than would have in an entire theatrical month under the old system.”

A Silver Lining for Indie Cinema?

The filmmaker sees the direct-to-OTT shift as a new normal rather than a demotion. “Theatres will always be magical, but for certain stories, streaming is now the better home,” he concluded. “At least here, the film gets to breathe, find its audience, and live beyond one weekend.”

As the lines between theatrical and digital releases continue to blur, Anurag Kashyap’s experience with Nishaanchi 2 highlights both the challenges and unexpected opportunities facing bold, original Indian cinema today. One thing is clear: the man refuses to stay quiet — whether his films play on the big screen or straight to your phone.

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