Bollywood Filmmakers Called Out: 'You Can't Complain About Empty Theatres If You Don't Support Them'

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Prominent Bollywood director Mohit Suri recently sparked a heated debate among filmmakers by calling out his peers for complaining about empty theatres without taking the initiative to watch their films in the cinema. The incident occurred during a roundtable discussion hosted by The Hollywood Reporter India, where Mohit was joined by fellow directors Dominic Arun, Neeraj Ghaywan, Reema Kagti, Rohan Kanawade, and Rahul Ravindran. When asked to name a recent film that left a lasting impression, Rohan Kanawade mentioned Sinners, but Mohit questioned whether it was his last theatrical experience. Rohan clarified that he had watched a Marathi film recently, but chose Sinners for its impactful theatrical experience. The issue of dwindling theatre audiences, particularly for smaller films, has been a persistent concern in the industry. Actors like Manoj Bajpayee and Pankaj Tripathi have also expressed their concerns about the lack of support for independent films. Mohit's own film, Saiyaara, was a major box office success this year, grossing ₹58 crore worldwide. Rohan Kanawade's Sabar Bonda, on the other hand, won the Grand Jury prize at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The exchange between Mohit and Rohan highlights the need for filmmakers to lead by example and support their own work in theatres.