Rural Maharashtra gets first-day film releases at home with Kissa Shuru Talkies  

MUMBAI: In a move that could change how rural Maharashtra watches films, Kissa Shuru Talkies has launched what it calls India’s first same-day theatrical distribution platform, bringing new movie releases directly into homes across thousands of villages on the very day they hit theatres.

Unveiled in Mumbai on Friday, the initiative aims to take cinema beyond multiplexes and city limits, reaching more than two crore households across 41,000 villages and over 150 talukas in Maharashtra, many of which have little or no access to traditional cinema halls.

The platform, branded as Kissa Shuru Talkies – Home Cinema, allows audiences in remote locations to watch newly released films through a secure digital distribution network, narrowing the long-standing gap between urban movie goers and rural viewers.

The launch was inaugurated by Maharashtra’s minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Ashish Shelar, while veteran actor, director and producer Sachin Pilgaonkar attended as the guest of honour.

Calling the initiative a “game-changer” for Marathi cinema, Shelar said the technology could help audiences in towns and villages enjoy new releases without waiting or travelling long distances. He added that the model creates benefits for viewers as well as filmmakers, actors and producers.

For many rural families, watching a newly released film often involves a journey of 40 to 50 kilometres to the nearest theatre. Pilgaonkar said the platform addresses that challenge while helping Marathi cinema reach audiences in regions where cinema infrastructure remains limited.

“This is not about competing with existing theatres,” he noted. “It is about taking films to places where theatres do not exist and ensuring cinema reaches every corner of the state.”

The platform has been developed under the leadership of co-founders Suntosh S. Berajdar and Shirish G. Shinde, along with ceo Abhishek Pramod Jathar. The founders describe the project as a step towards making entertainment more inclusive and accessible.

Berajdar said millions of rural families have historically been left out of the theatrical experience despite being passionate consumers of cinema. “We want every household, regardless of geography, to enjoy the same films on the same day as urban audiences,” he said.

Jathar echoed the sentiment, describing the venture as more than a movie-streaming platform. “It is about access, inclusion and celebrating storytelling with everyone,” he said.

Beyond audience reach, the initiative could also create a new revenue model for the film industry. According to company projections, the platform has the potential to generate annual revenues of up to ₹2,085 crore if expanded nationally, with Maharashtra alone contributing nearly ₹185 crore by its second year of operation.

At a viewing price of ₹99 per family screening, the company estimates that producers could unlock millions of additional viewings from previously underserved markets. Half of the revenue generated through the platform is expected to flow directly to film producers, offering a fresh income stream alongside traditional theatrical releases.

If successful, Kissa Shuru Talkies may prove that the next big screen for Indian cinema is not necessarily in a multiplex, it could be the television set sitting in a village home.