Acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur is fuming over the unauthorized editing of his 1994 classic Bandit Queen for its OTT release on Amazon Prime Video. In a passionate social media outburst, Kapur lamented how streaming platforms recklessly alter cinematic masterpieces, calling out the mysterious individual who “butchered” his film. His frustration quickly gained traction, with fellow filmmaker Hansal Mehta echoing his concerns.
Who Messed with the ‘Bandit Queen’?
Kapur’s grievance revolves around the altered version of Bandit Queen, a biopic on Phoolan Devi, which he claims has been tampered with—without his consent. Recalling the painstaking editing process with the late Renu Saluja, he expressed heartbreak over the film’s re-editing for OTT. “The anguish a director and editor go through when editing their films… And then some random person carelessly cuts the film for OTT release?” he wrote.
The filmmaker pointedly asked, “Did you even think about the love we give for our art?” and tagged industry veterans Sudhir Mishra and Hansal Mehta, rallying them for action.
Hansal Mehta Joins the Fight
Hansal Mehta jumped into the debate, blasting the systemic disregard for filmmakers in India. He called it shameful that a film of Bandit Queen’s stature—India’s official Oscar entry in 1995—was treated so poorly.
“It is sad to know that a film that should always be India’s pride gets treated this way,” Mehta wrote, arguing that Indian creators have become “slaves of the West,” bending to OTT platforms’ demands without resistance. He lamented the absence of a strong guild to protect artistic rights, stating that existing associations are too preoccupied with politics to fight for filmmakers.
With Kapur’s global recognition and Padma Bhushan honor, Mehta hoped this controversy would ignite change. Yet, he ended on a cynical note: “Until then, back to our submissive selves? Members of the new content-driven colony that creates cattle feed to drive subscriptions while fulfilling the artistic ambitions of its Western masters.”
The Spark: A Nod to Netflix’s Storytelling
Ironically, the controversy stemmed from Kapur’s admiration for Netflix’s British miniseries Adolescence, which he hailed as “next-level storytelling.” This led to an exchange with Sudhir Mishra, who remarked, “Nobody will let us do something like that.”
Reflecting on the creative constraints in today’s OTT space, Kapur wondered aloud: “Would I even be allowed to make Bandit Queen today?”
A Bigger Battle for Creative Freedom
The Bandit Queen debacle highlights a growing concern—OTT platforms are reshaping films without consulting their makers. The film, renowned for its unflinching portrayal of caste violence and oppression, has long symbolized fearless storytelling. Now, Kapur’s outrage raises a critical question: Are directors losing control over their own art in the age of streaming?