‘Will you spend Rs. 150 for Homebound’: Kiran Rao on Indie film economics, says theatrical option ‘Not open to most’ 150 : Bollywood News

Filmmaker Kiran Rao took centre stage on the final day of the Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) 2025, where she shared her insights on the evolving landscape of independent cinema in India. During her ‘Vision and Voice’ masterclass, the Laapataa Ladies director reflected on the challenges faced by indie filmmakers, from limited theatrical access to the audience’s willingness to pay for smaller films.

‘Will you spend Rs. 150 for Homebound’: Kiran Rao on Indie film economics, says theatrical option ‘Not open to most’

Kiran Rao highlighted how the rise of streaming platforms has helped broaden viewers’ tastes but questioned whether that audience translates into paying cinema-goers. “Will you reach into your pocket for Rs. 150 to go watch a Homebound or Sabar Bonda? That is the defining question for us as filmmakers,” she said. “Why do we continue making these films if we don’t have an assured audience? Is it really worth putting time, money, and effort into them? That thought drives me crazy all the time,” she added.

Rao, who has served as an executive producer on several acclaimed independent projects, also addressed the ongoing struggle for visibility that indie films face in India. “There’s a real gap in the distribution of independent films,” she said. “We all love the in-theatre experience—hearing filmmakers talk about their process, watching films together. We’re tired of watching movies alone in our rooms. But the theatrical option just isn’t open to most people. That’s the reality.”

The final day of DIFF 2025 also featured the Indian premiere of Venice winner Songs of Forgotten Trees, directed by Anuparna Roy, along with Kamal Aljafari’s documentary With Hasan in Gaza. The four-day festival concluded with screenings, discussions, and cinematic celebrations across the mountain town.

This year’s edition also showcased three official Oscar entries — Homebound from India, I, The Song from Bhutan, and The Wolves Always Come at Night from Australia. Screenings were held at the Hermann Gmeiner Hall and in two inflatable digital theatres set up by PictureTime.

The festival lineup included masterclasses by actor Adil Hussain and Andrey A. Tarkovsky, son of the legendary Russian filmmaker, who spoke about his father’s artistic legacy.

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