After years of waiting, Kanu Behl’s film Agra has finally made its way to Indian cinemas. The drama, featuring Rahul Roy, Priyanka Bose, and Mohit Agarwal, opened theatrically on November 14, following a long struggle to find a willing distributor despite its celebrated run at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
In a recent conversation with ‘mid-day,’ director Kanu Behl expressed both relief and concern. “It’s been an incredibly tough and emotional journey,” he admitted, reflecting on the challenges of bringing an independent film to Indian audiences. “Finally being able to present Agra to viewers here feels immensely rewarding.”
The struggle behind Agra’s release
Although Agra earned global recognition and critical acclaim abroad, Behl faced significant obstacles in securing domestic distribution. The filmmaker shared that finding a distributor who truly believed in the film’s unconventional narrative was the biggest challenge. Eventually, Saregama Films stepped in, giving Agra the platform it needed to reach its audience.
This journey, Behl noted, mirrors the larger difficulties independent filmmakers face in India’s commercialized movie landscape. “We all know the condition of independent cinema today,” he stated, emphasizing the lack of structural support for filmmakers who operate outside mainstream studio systems.
A call for government support
Behl has proposed that the government take an active role in promoting independent films that perform well on international platforms. He suggested a system where the top five or ten Indian films recognized at major film festivals receive official backing.
According to him, this could involve a few key measures—mandatory screen allocation for qualified films and tax concessions for moviegoers who choose to watch independent works over commercial blockbusters. “We need mechanisms that make it easier for audiences to discover and appreciate indie cinema,” he said.
Hope for a sustainable indie movement
Agra’s release arrives alongside a growing wave of independent films like Jugnuma and Sabar Bonda, signaling what many hope is a revival of alternative voices in Indian cinema. However, Behl remains cautiously optimistic. Recalling his earlier success with Titli (2014), the filmmaker pointed out that while that era showed great promise, many of those independent storytellers eventually faded due to lack of systemic backing.
Behl insists that if India wants a thriving independent film culture, it must build lasting institutional support. “We have to create an environment where such films don’t depend merely on luck or personal connections,” he emphasized.
With Agra finally reaching audiences, Kanu Behl’s message is clear—independent cinema in India deserves structured, consistent, and meaningful government support to sustain its artistic and cultural value for years to come.
