'Mayasabha should have been shut down at least 50 times': Rahi Anil Barve says it is extremely risky to create original stories

3 minutes of readingBombayJanuary 29, 2026 04:15 pm IST

Just a few months ago, when Kanu Behl’s Agra was finally ready for release in India, the director had to publicly seek support. the movie was fighting to secure screens across the countrysince a large part of the main spaces had already been assigned to large commercials. What started as a simple tweet asking for help from cinema chains soon turned into a small movement of sorts, with several independent filmmakers (like Payal Kapadia, Rima Das, Arati Kadav, Vasan Bala and Chaitanya Tamhane, among others) joining hands with Behl to fight against the inequalities that independent films face every week. However, recently, Rahi Anil Barve, gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Mayasabha, which is scheduled to release this Friday, expressed a gloomier view on whether things are really changing, even as he fully supports his fellow filmmakers.

In an exclusive chat with SCREEN, Barve said, “I am sure of one thing: no one wants to support you. That’s why I didn’t make any noise. This is a burning iron that we choose to hold ourselves. In fact, we are very aware of the problems that come with making these kinds of films. And in some ways, I was prepared for it and knew that the situation would end like this.” Talking about the struggle he faced while making Mayasabha, he added, “The film didn’t have any backing. Only God knows how it was made. Sometimes it surprises me because this film should have been canceled at least 50 times. So now, no matter how much you shout, how much support you try to get, even if you get 100, 150 or 300 signatures, it’s not going to change anything.”

Rahi Anil Barve clarified that Mayasabha is completely different from his previous cult classic, Tumbbad.

So read | The Tumbbad director spent five years making one of the biggest OTT shows, Gulkanda Tales, now stuck in limbo: ‘I can’t show a single image’

He continued: “The only thing that will sustain this film is word of mouth. That is why it is important that the public know during Friday, Saturday and Sunday that this film will be shown in theaters. For that, public relations is essential, and you can see how we are fighting for it. This is all part and parcel of the choice we made. We are not nervous or scared at all. This is a risk we have consciously taken. We know that the film will outlive each of us. We don’t want to say it. 50 people in the industry to start spreading the word. We are very proud of the experiment we are doing and the fact that it will hit theaters on 500 or 600 screens.”

Rahi Anil Barve also reflected on the challenge of making something truly original in today’s industry: “The trailer and teaser show that Mayasabha is its own beast. It doesn’t give the illusion of Tumbbad. Whatever Mayasabha is, it is original. The characters are original. And it is extremely risky to create something original in current times. Otherwise, we would not be in such a state as an industry.”

Anas Arif is a prolific entertainment journalist and film analyst at The Indian Express, where he specializes in the intersection of Indian pop culture, arthouse cinema and industrial ethics. His writing is defined by a deep-rooted commitment to documenting the changing landscape of Indian entertainment through the lens of critical theory and narrative authorship. Experience and Career As a senior member of The Indian Express’ entertainment vertical, Anas has cultivated a unique beat that prioritizes the ‘art behind celebrity’. He has interviewed a wide spectrum of industry veterans, from blockbuster directors like Vijay Krishna Acharya, Sujoy Ghosh, Maneesh Sharma to experimental filmmakers and screenwriters like Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Varun Grover, Rajat Kapoor, among many others. His career is characterized by a “Journalism of Courage” approach, where he frequently addresses the ethical implications of mainstream cinema and the sociopolitical subtext within popular media. He is also the host of the YouTube series Cult Comebacks, where he talks to filmmakers about films that may not have been successful initially but have, over time, gained a cult following. The program aims to explore films as works of art, rather than mere commercial projects designed to generate box office revenue. Areas of Specialization and Focus Anas’ expertise lies in his ability to deconstruct cinematic works beyond superficial reviews. His areas of focus include: Auteur Studies: detailed retrospectives and analyzes of filmmakers such as Imtiaz Ali, Anurag Kashyap and Neeraj Ghaywan, often exploring their core philosophies and creative evolutions. Film Deconstruction: Examining technical and narrative choices, such as the use of proportions in independent films (Sabar Bonda) or the structural rhythm of iconic soundtracks (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge). Industrial and Social Ethics: Fearless criticism of commercial blockbusters, particularly as they relate to the promotion of bigoted views or the marginalization of communities in mainstream scripts. Exclusive full-length interviews: Conducting high-level dialogues with actors and creators to discover archival anecdotes and future industry perspectives. Authority and Trust Anas Arif has established himself as a trusted voice by steadily moving away from standard PR-driven journalism. Whether he is questioning the “Shah Rukh Khan mythology” in modern sequels or providing a space for independent filmmakers to discuss the “arithmetic of karma”, his work is based on objectivity and thorough research. Readers look to Anas for an educated point of view that treats entertainment not just as a commodity, but as a critical reflection of the country’s collective conscience. …Read more

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