In this episode of Industry Spotlight by Creative First, Yusuf Shaikh, Founder and CEO of Janta Cinema, joins Lohita Sujith, Sr. Director, Copyright & Digital Economy, Motion Picture Association, to discuss the evolving landscape of film distribution in India, the growing potential of regional cinema and the need to expand affordable theatrical access across the country.

Yusuf shares his insights into changing audience preferences and the growing appetite for unconventional content, regional films and family entertainment. Drawing on examples such as Lalo and Hanuman Ansh, he highlights how strategic release planning and strong local word of mouth can help smaller films find their audiences and achieve success.

The conversation also explores the significant gap in India’s cinema infrastructure, with an estimated 90 crore people having limited or no access to theatrical experiences. Despite India’s diverse film industry, several regional productions continue to face challenges in securing screens and reaching audiences. Yusuf emphasises the need for affordable cinema infrastructure and supportive policies to address this disparity.

He explains how Janta Cinema is working to bridge this gap by transforming community halls into permanent and pop-up cinema spaces, bringing affordable theatrical experiences to underserved towns and communities. Beyond film exhibition, the initiative aims to nurture local creative ecosystems through filmmaking and allied-skills training, cultural programming and employment opportunities.

The discussion also highlights the need for simpler regulatory permissions for pop-up cinemas and fairer screening opportunities for independent films within multiplexes. Ultimately, Yusuf underscores how expanding theatrical access can unlock new distribution opportunities for independent filmmakers, strengthen regional film industries and bring the cinematic experience to audiences across India.