Overview
- Kiran Rao used a DIFF 2025 masterclass to question whether viewers will pay ₹150 to watch films such as Homebound or Sabar Bonda.
- She said the theatrical option is not open to most filmmakers, citing a real gap in the distribution of independent films.
- Rao warned that without substantial marketing budgets or star backing, securing screens remains exceptionally difficult.
- She voiced frustration over investing time and money in indie projects without an assured cinema-going audience.
- The four-day festival concluded with high-profile indie screenings, including India’s Oscar entry Homebound, underscoring the divide between festival visibility and commercial release prospects.