Film workers' body demands inquiry into Pyre's screen loss amid Ramayana clash

An association representing cinema workers has petitioned for a formal probe into the sharp reduction of screens for the independent film Pyre, which reportedly lost approximately 75 per cent of its theatrical slots after the wide release of Ramayana. The workers' body contends that the allocation disparity raises concerns about fair distribution practices in India's multiplex ecosystem. Pyre, which had secured a reasonable number of screens upon its initial release, faced significant withdrawals as major theatre chains prioritised the mythological epic's distribution. The cinema workers' organisation argues that such practices may contravene guidelines meant to ensure equitable market access for diverse films. The case highlights ongoing tensions between independent productions and large-budget releases over screen availability and exhibition rights in India's increasingly consolidated theatre chains. Ramayana's commanding box office performance and promotional muscle appear to have accelerated Pyre's screen reduction, raising broader questions about whether independent and parallel cinema projects receive adequate exhibition protection during major release clashes. Theatre associations and film industry bodies are expected to examine the grievance to determine whether standard protocols governing screen allocation were followed.