New Delhi, March 6 -- Single-screen cinemas, already squeezed by the rise of swanky multiplex chains, are now facing an existential crisis. They say that distributors are refusing to screen specific films in their theatres, calling it a waste of time and marketing money.

screen theatres are more prevalent in small towns, and refusal of movies to them disrupts the culture of movie-going and denies an important source of entertainment to the masses, experts said.

Films such as Deva, Emergency, Fateh and Loveyapa were denied to a few theatres recently, at a time when they are battling an acute paucity of content, casting doubts over their survival.

Producers, on their part, say that screening movies in single-screen theatres is an expense...