10 Indie Films That Premiered at Festivals But Didn't Find Space at Home

Many acclaimed independent films have brought India international recognition, winning prestigious awards and captivating global audiences, and yet they struggle for viewership in Indian cinema halls. Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light won the Grand Prix at Cannes, only to be sidelined back home; it was briefly taken down to make way for a mass-market film featuring a chauvinistic male hero.

It is safe to say there is a lack of culture supporting indie films. Satyajit Ray, in a 1989 interview, remarked: "We have a fairly backward audience here." This may still hold some truth, but the problem also lies with distributors, who claim there’s no audience and dismiss such films as too niche. Post-pandemic, theaters lean heavily toward star-studded blockbusters, leaving many gems overlooked. For those who crave bold, independent storytelling, here are a few such films…

1. Katiyabaaz (2014)

Katiyabaaz (roughly meaning "Electricity Thief") is a 2013 documentary diving into Kanpur’s wild power struggles—pun intended. Directed by Deepti Kakkar and Fahad Mustafa, the film spotlights Loha Singh, a bold electricity thief who keeps the lights on for locals, and Ritu Maheshwari, a determined bureaucrat battling power theft. Set against Kanpur’s infamous 15-hour power cuts, this clash between rebellion and regulation unfolds with drama, humor, and grit. 

The film premiered at Berlinale 2013, won Best Film at the Mumbai Film Festival, and traveled to festivals like the Tribeca Film Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival. And yet, Fahad Mustafa and his team had to raise their own marketing and distribution budget, part of which funded screenings in smaller Indian towns. With support from Anurag Kashyap’s Phantom Films, the documentary eventually secured a limited release across 50 screens in cities like Mumbai, Lucknow, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kanpur.

2. Writing With Fire (2021)

Writing with Fire is a fiery documentary that follows the fearless journalists of Khabar Lahariya, India’s only Dalit women-led news agency. Directed by Sushmit Ghosh and Rintu Thomas, the film captures their daring transition from print to digital journalism using smartphones. 

Premiering at Sundance 2021, Writing with Fire bagged the Audience Award and a Special Jury Award, later earning acclaim as India’s first feature documentary nominated for an Academy Award. It toured global festivals, won a Peabody Award in 2023, and was even named a "Critic's Pick" by The New York Times. And yet, it faced limited release in India, while enjoying theatrical openings in New York, Los Angeles, and beyond. Fun Fact: It is available on Amazon Prime but not in India.

3. Agra (2023)

Agra, directed by Kanu Behl, dives into the chaotic mind of Guru, a frustrated young call-center worker stuck at home with his parents. Balancing dating apps, fantasies, and self-destructive spirals, Guru’s journey exposes the dark underbelly of patriarchy and male sexual angst in India. With gripping performances, this raw drama unfolds in the heart of Agra, filmed on location in 2019, with its post-production delayed by the pandemic.

Premiering at the 2023 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, Agra grabbed international attention and won awards at the Melbourne Film Festival and Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival and made its way to Busan and Hong Kong. It was also released in French theaters. And yet, Indian audiences couldn't have any shows.

4. All That Breathes (2022)

Directed by Shaunak Sen, this is a stunning documentary about two brothers, Saud and Nadeem, who run a bird clinic in Delhi, nursing injured black kites that fall from the city’s polluted skies. Rooted in faith and driven by compassion, their work reflects the interconnectedness of nature and humanity. The film blends heartwarming storytelling with a stark portrayal of environmental collapse, making it a gripping ode to resilience and empathy.

The documentary won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and the prestigious Golden Eye at Cannes, followed by an Oscar nomination and a Peabody Award. And yet, despite this global acclaim and theatrical releases across the US, Britain, Netherlands, and France, the film remained largely inaccessible to Indian audiences, only reaching them because HBO picked it, and JioCinema had an agreement with HBO.

5. While We Watched (2022)

While We Watched by Vinay Shukla, profiles NDTV journalist Ravish Kumar's battle to uphold truth and integrity in India’s increasingly polarized media landscape. Through unscripted, raw footage shot over two years, the film captures Kumar’s struggles to report factually amidst threats, government pressures, and dwindling resources. From newsroom debates to personal moments with his family, the documentary paints a compelling picture of one journalist standing firm against a tide of sensationalism and bias.

Premiering at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, the film won the Amplify Voices Award and later bagged honors at Busan and Helsinki festivals. And yet, it remained largely inaccessible in India, circulating unofficially via YouTube and Telegram before landing on the niche streaming platform Mubi. It is not ironic that a documentary highlighting the challenges of speaking truth in Indian media was buried by the system it critiqued.

6. Joram (2023)

Joram by Devashish Makhija, is a thriller starring Manoj Bajpayee follows the story of a desperate father fleeing with his infant daughter, a relentless cop on their trail, and a vengeful mother—all colliding in a brutal tale of survival. Shot in grueling locations, Bajpayee called it a unique and challenging project, reflecting the raw intensity of its narrative.

Premiering globally at festivals like Rotterdam, Sydney, and Busan, Joram impressed critics and won Best Film (Critics) at the 69th Filmfare Awards. And yet, its theatrical release in India fizzled out with virtually no audience.

7. Neecha Nagar (1946)

Neecha Nagar by Chetan Anand, is a landmark in Indian cinema and one of its earliest forays into social realism. Adapted from Maxim Gorky’s The Lower Depths and set in an Indian context, the film explores the stark divide between rich and poor with an expressionist lens. It paved the way for parallel cinema in India, showcasing storytelling that was bold and ahead of its time.

The film made history as the first Indian movie to win at Cannes, winning the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film  (which we now know as The Palme d'Or or Golden Palm) at the inaugural festival in 1946. And yet, despite this international acclaim, Neecha Nagar was never released in Indian theaters. Its only public showing came decades later on Doordarshan, leaving its legacy celebrated abroad but largely unknown at home.

8. Samna (1974)

This is a gripping Marathi crime drama directed by Jabbar Patel and written by the Vijay Tendulkar. The film dives into the power play between a corrupt sugar baron and a drunkard determined to expose his crimes, unfolding across themes of greed, justice, and rebellion. Starring talents like Nilu Phule, Shriram Lagoo, and Smita Patil, it delivers a tense, thought-provoking confrontation wrapped in Tendulkar’s razor-sharp dialogue.

Despite this, Samna initially struggled for attention. Samna gained international fame when a German delegation praised the stellar performances of Phule and Lagoo, securing its spot at the 25th Berlin International Film Festival. With actress Nargis assisting with the formalities, the film earned acclaim at Berlin and beyond. And yet, back home, Samna barely made waves initially—until a re-release in 1975 turned it into a sensation, ultimately bagging three national awards, seven Maharashtra State awards, and three Filmfare trophies.

9. The Disciple (2020)

Chaitanya Tamhane’s The Disciple is a soul-searching drama about Sharad Nerulkar, a classical vocalist grappling with the weight of tradition and the haunting question: is excellence even achievable? This film explores the fine line between passion and obsession, offering a stark mirror to anyone afraid of mediocrity or stuck in the pursuit of unattainable ideals. It’s uncomfortable and confrontational.

Premiering in the main competition at the 77th Venice Film Festival, The Disciple, won the FIPRESCI International Critics Prize and Best Screenplay award. It also wowed audiences at TIFF with an Amplify Voices Award. And yet, the team had a tough time finding theaters. It later found a global stage via Netflix in 2021.

10. Court (2014)

Chaitanya Tamhane's Court is a biting legal drama that dismantles the glamorized courtroom trope. Following the trial of Narayan Kamble, a folk singer accused of inciting suicide through his music, the film critiques systemic inefficiencies while weaving in humor and heartbreak. With black comedy and poignant realism, it exposes the human flaws and power dynamics driving institutional collapse, all with a touch of irony that makes it unforgettable.

Premiering at the 71st Venice Film Festival, Court bagged Best Film in the Horizons category and 18 more international awards, including India’s National Film Award for Best Feature Film. The film’s journey was fraught with rejections, including a snub for funding by India’s National Film Development Corporation. Eventually made on a modest ₹35 million budget, much of it financed by producer Vivek Gomber.  And yet, despite the acclaim, the film faced limited screens in India and struggled financially, grossing far below its cost. 

Most of India's indie films stand as paradoxes—widely acclaimed abroad, yet poorly supported at home. Their struggle reflects not just a gap in audience interest but also a systemic failure to nurture diverse narratives. The question remains: How long will these films have to look beyond their borders for recognition and applause?