Crime drama Nishaanchi, directed by Anurag Kashyap, was released in theatres in September. Despite a big name attached to the film, it bombed at the box office. Nishaanchi ended on a cliffhanger, showing glimpses from Part 2, but in a surprising turn of events, Prime Video dropped both parts on the platform, which shocked netizens. Anurag Kashyap has reacted to Nishaanchi 2 having a direct-to-OTT release in an interview with Hindustan Times.
“It was my suggestion, and our collective decision between Amazon (producers) and us. Had the audience turned up for Part 1, there is no way the second part wouldn’t have been released in cinemas. And since most of the reaction was that the film felt incomplete to everyone, it was decided to let them have the complete experience,” stated the Bollywood filmmaker.
As per the decision taken by the Multiplex Association of India, the minimum gap between the theatrical release and the streaming release of a Hindi film must be eight weeks. Anurag Kashyap added, “That’s another thing that theatres themselves don’t adhere to. They will cancel shows and throw the film out if it doesn’t open, not allowing the word of mouth to build up. That’s how they treat non-tentpole films.”
Anurag Kashyap further expressed his disappointment, saying that his films have been discarded throughout his whole career by exhibitors and that Nishaanchi has met the same fate.