Bandar Showcasing Conflict: Zee Studios Puts Multiplex Release on Hold Amid Screen-Sharing Battle
BY SACNILK
The upcoming weekend at the box office is shaping up to be quite chaotic, with multiple releases fighting for space in theaters. While we recently saw Scary Movie get delayed, other titles like Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai and the Hindi version of Peddi are currently locked in a screen-sharing struggle. The latest film to join this conflict is the Bobby Deol-starrer Bandar. According to an exclusive report by Bollywood Hungama, Zee Studios has decided to put the film's showcasing on hold across national multiplex chains until a fair distribution agreement is reached.
The root of the problem lies in how shows are being distributed among the new releases. Sources inform that the makers of Bandar had a very specific and modest request for their release. They asked for about 3 to 4 shows in multiplexes with 4 or 5 screens, specifically for timings after 1 pm. This was designed to cater to their target audience while acknowledging the heavy rush of other films. However, because national chains like PVR, Inox, and Cinepolis are directly involved in distributing the competing films, Bandar has reportedly been offered a much smaller and less favorable showcasing than expected.
Zee Studios has taken a firm stand on this issue, choosing to halt the programming in these major chains rather than accepting what they consider an unfair deal. Girish Johar, the Distribution and Revenue Head at Zee Studios, spoke with Bollywood Hungama and explained that their strategy was never about a massive, wide release. Instead, they planned for a smart release on roughly 500 to 600 screens. The logic was to build the film's presence through positive word of mouth, allowing it to have a long run at the box office rather than a crowded opening day.
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The team behind Bandar also pointed out that the runtime of the film is a manageable 130 minutes, making it easier to fit into a tight schedule. There is also a belief within the team that the advance sales for the competing films are not high enough to justify the lopsided show allotment they are currently seeing. By putting the showcasing on hold, the producers are hoping to negotiate a better window that gives the film a genuine chance to reach its core audience.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen if the national chains will adjust the programming before the Friday release. For now, the strategy for Bandar remains focused on quality over quantity, with the hope that once the shows are sorted, the film can prove its worth through audience feedback.
Bandar, which is titled Monkey in a Cage for international markets, is an intense crime thriller directed by Anurag Kashyap and produced by Nikhil Dwivedi. The film features Bobby Deol in a gritty role as a fading television star who finds himself caught in a corrupt legal battle after being accused of rape by his ex-girlfriend. Before its global theatrical release on June 5, 2026, by Zee Studios, the film earned significant critical attention during its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025. Given the prestige of its festival run and the heavy themes involved, the makers are clearly banking on the quality of the content to sustain it through the upcoming competitive weekend.
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