Huma Qureshi Highlights Distribution Disparity, Laments Limited Screens for Her Film ‘Single Salma’

Mumbai: The perennial struggle for screen space between big-budget spectacles and smaller, content-driven films has been thrust into the spotlight once again. Actress-producer Huma Qureshi has voiced her frustration over the limited theatrical release of her new film, ‘Single Salma’, sparking a wider conversation about equity and access within the Indian film industry.

Taking to Instagram, Qureshi shared a heartfelt note detailing the challenges faced by films like hers. “The struggle is real,” she wrote, highlighting the uphill battle such projects face in securing adequate screens amidst a slate dominated by big-budget and franchise-led releases.

“We don’t come with massive marketing spends or star-powered buzz, and that makes it harder for heartfelt, content-driven stories to find their place,” Qureshi stated. She pointed to a systemic bias that often sidelines niche or independent cinema in favor of what are perceived as “safer” commercial bets. “The system still tends to favour the safer, bigger titles, when what we really need is a balance—a cinematic ecosystem where diverse stories can thrive.”

Her post has resonated with audiences and sparked immediate action. Fans from across the country, including cities like Lucknow, Patna, Delhi, and Kolkata, have flooded social media, echoing her concerns and directly urging local theatre chains and multiplex owners to increase the number of shows for Single Salma. Many potential moviegoers have shared screenshots of booking portals showing unavailable or perpetually houseful shows, demonstrating a clear, unmet demand and requesting a wider release to make the film accessible.

A Recurring Industry Dilemma

Qureshi’s statement has ignited a critical discussion within industry circles about the need for a more equitable distribution model. The current system, heavily reliant on advance booking metrics and star power, often leaves little room for word-of-mouth to build for smaller films, creating a cycle where they are deemed “non-viable” before they even have a chance to connect with their audience.

This is not an isolated incident. Just recently, actor Harshvardhan Rane pointed to a similar issue during the release of his film ‘Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat’. Taking to his Instagram Stories, Rane wrote, “Being taken lightly fuels me, I am now used to being underestimated.” He noted that this was a familiar pattern, referencing the re-release of his earlier film ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’ in February 2025, which also faced challenges in securing screens.

The Bigger Picture: Beyond Star Power

The debate underscores a pivotal moment for the Indian film industry. As audiences become more segmented and diverse in their tastes, the one-size-fits-all approach to distribution is increasingly being questioned. Producers and directors are calling for innovative release strategies, such as flexible screening times, dedicated screens for indie cinema, and hybrid theatrical-and-streaming models, to ensure that a film’s reach is not solely determined by its budget.

Huma Qureshi’s decision to publicly champion her film has thus moved beyond a single release. It has become a catalyst for a necessary conversation, advocating for a future where every well-told story, regardless of its scale or the fame of its cast, is given a legitimate opportunity to find its audience on the big screen.

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