IS A HOLLYWOOD ‘OBSESSION’ SIDELINING HINDI RELEASES?

After filmmaker Anurag Kashyap claimed that Hollywood films are getting priority over Hindi films in theatres, trade experts weigh in on the impact on Indian releases
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 17, 2026)

The global success of the Hollywood horror film Obsession, which has reportedly earned 330 times its budget, has become a case study in world cinema. However, it has sparked mixed reactions within the Hindi film industry.

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap recently expressed concern on his Instagram Stories that theatre chains are prioritizing Obsession over Hindi releases, including his film Bandar (released on June 5) and recent Friday releases such as Main Vaapas Aaunga, Governor, and others.

Trade analyst Komal Nahta, however, believes international films aren’t an impediment. He shares, “Only bad content is coming in the industry. Bandar is not doing well even otherwise, so the number of shows isn’t going to make a difference,” adding, “If in two shows, they can’t get houseful, what will they get in 20 shows?”

Trade analyst Atul Mohan adds that multiplex programming is largely driven by audience response. He says, “In a way, Anurag is right. Business is ruthless. If a film doesn’t do well in the first two days, they reduce the shows drastically, which doesn’t give time for word of mouth to spread. Hindi films deserve that time to grow.”

Film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi echoes the sentiment and says that the audience makes the ultimate decision. “If Main Vaapas Aaunga or any other film have very good occupancy levels, cinemas across the country would increase the number of shows, like they did for Haunted – Echoes Of The Past in the same week. So, it’s not about the theatres but what the audience decides,” he shares.
--------------------------------------------------
These are business-oriented decisions. There is a policy for encouraging local produce, and there should also be a policy for encouraging local cinema. But there are arguments on both sides of the matter, and can’t be compared.
- IMTIAZ ALI, DIRECTOR OF MAIN VAAPAS AAUNGA
--------------------------------------------------
Nothing is coming in the industry except bad content. If Anurag thinks it is because of Obsession that Bandar is not doing well, he should see the collections. Critical acclaim is not the same as the box office, and when we talk about competition, we talk about box office. So, Obsession is not acting as an impediment to the running of Indian films at all.
- KOMAL NAHTA, TRADE ANALYST
--------------------------------------------------
‘FOR EVERY DHURANDHAR, THERE WILL BE FIVE EXPENSIVE FILMS THAT WILL BOMB’

Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 17, 2026)

For Indian films to not get enough attention from theatres, despite having good reviews, does not go down well with Anurag.

He tells us, “Films like Bandar and Main Vaapas Aaunga should get proper shows so that people can watch them, allowing word of mouth to build up. Then another problem is that there’s an audience that is getting used to seeing such films on OTT. So you’re building an audience only for event movies. But such films are so expensive, and the hit-and-miss ratio is huge. For every Dhurandhar, there will be five expensive films that will bomb.”

He emphasizes strategic show timings for smaller films too. He adds, “Bandar’s night shows were full. But who’s going to go watch Bandar at 9 am, when it is going to upset you for the rest of the day? There’s human psychology also involved.”