Vinod Kapri questions why Pyre has no shows in Pithoragarh or Nainital

Filmmaker Vinod Kapri questioned why Pyre had no screenings in Pithoragarh and Nainital. His appeal came as over 200 shows of the film were added across India.Vinod Kapri raised concerns over Pyre getting zero shows in two Uttarakhand towns. (Credit: Instagram/@vinodkaprii)New Delhi,Nov 14, 2026 13:39 ISTFilmmaker Vinod Kapri on Saturday questioned why his independent film Pyre had not received a single show in Pithoragarh and Nainital, despite more than 200 screenings being added across India from Friday, November 13. He said the absence of screenings in the two Uttarakhand towns was particularly personal because the film and its lead actors are rooted in Pithoragarh.Kapri's latest appeal came days after he raised concerns over a reduction in the film's screenings amid the release of Ramayana: Rise of a Legend. Although audience demand helped Pyre return to more screens nationally, Kapri said it remained unavailable in Pithoragarh and Nainital.In an Instagram video, Kapri said, "Hello friends, I am back before you with my film Pyre and I am once again raising the issue concerning Pithoragarh and Nainital."He added, "And this is truly regrettable. In Pithoragarh—the place where the film Pyre originated, the place where my elders (grandparents) reside, and the place I call home—as of today, November 14th, our film Pyre has not been granted a single screening." Kapri said another film had been allocated seven shows in Pithoragarh. "Meanwhile, the film that has been allocated screenings has been given seven shows. Seven shows!" he said.Referring to a video he had received, Kapri said, "Regarding these seven shows, last night, around 1:00 AM, I received a video. You can watch it for yourselves. I simply cannot understand why there is such unfair treatment toward other films." He questioned why Pyre was not being accommodated when seats were available. "If all the current screenings were sold out (housefull), then the situation might be understandable. But if there is an opening—if there is clearly room available for another film—then why isn't that space being given to Pyre?"Kapri said the situation was the same in Nainital. Two weeks had passed, and the film had entered its third week without receiving a screening there. His post said four shows of another film were running in Nainital but were playing to almost empty theatres.More than 200 shows added nationallyKapri had earlier announced on X that more than 200 shows of Pyre were being added across India from Friday, November 13, following growing audience demand. He thanked viewers as well as cinema chains Cinepolis and PVR Cinemas for supporting the film.Announcing the development, he wrote, "Pyre is getting its shows back! Over 200 shows of Pyre are being added from Friday, 13th November." He added, "Your love, trust and support have brought us back to more screens."Kapri also thanked Cinepolis and PVR Cinemas for giving more viewers an opportunity to watch the story of Amma and Bubu. He concluded his post with, "This journey belongs to all of you. THANK YOU, INDIA!"The announcement followed Kapri's earlier expression of disappointment over the reduction in screenings despite a positive response from viewers. In an interview with India Today, he said the film had opened on about 80 screens before the number of shows increased as audiences began turning up.According to Kapri, the number of screenings in Delhi rose from about 11 to 13 on the first day to nearly 70 by the fifth day. By the sixth day, the film was playing in approximately 355 theatres.Its theatrical presence later dropped to about 70 to 75 screens, even though Kapri said nearly 90 per cent of the shows were running houseful. He had appealed to exhibitors to retain at least one screening in cities where the film had been removed from the schedule.International release and festival runThe film's distribution team has confirmed that Pyre will be released in the US and the UK on December 11, 2026. The makers have also submitted it for consideration at the Academy Awards and the BAFTA awards.Pyre has won over 18 international awards during its festival run. The film was released in Indian cinemas on October 30, 2026.Set in a remote Himalayan village in Uttarakhand, the film follows Padam and Gauri, an elderly couple who are among the last residents of their village. It explores love, companionship, ageing and migration through their lives.- Ends