Filmmaker Kanu Behl Fights for Agra's Theatrical Release Amid 'Blockbuster' Dominance

On November 13, 2025, filmmaker Kanu Behl voiced his disappointment over his film Agra being denied sufficient shows across multiplexes. Behl, the director of the acclaimed film Titli, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his concerns, stating that Agra is being sidelined in favor of "big blockbusters" and because small films "don't fit into" multiplex chain programming.

In a follow-up post, Behl further expressed his worry about the diminishing space for unconventional cinema, urging the audience to "speak up" and tag the multiplex chains to demand the opportunity to see the film. When a user suggested exploring niche theatres for smaller films, Behl asserted that the issue was larger than that, saying, "This is about reclaiming what we need. We HAVE to speak up. A film like this should get fair visibility."

Earlier this year, in May 2024, Agra faced cuts from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) before securing an 'A' certificate. The censor board reportedly asked the makers to replace a frontal nudity scene and delete two sexually explicit visuals from the film. Additionally, certain obscene words were replaced. Following these modifications, the film was cleared with a final runtime of 115 minutes.

Agra marks the debut of Mohit Agarwal and features a talented cast including Rahul Roy, Priyanka Bose, Ruhani Sharma, Vibha Chibber, Sonal Jha, and Aanchal Goswami. The film tells the story of a sexually repressed young man navigating complex family dynamics in a cramped home in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.