New Delhi, Nov. 24 -- Critically acclaimed Indian films that sparkle on the international festival circuit are finding it hard to be screened in the country even though theatres are struggling with low supply of new commercial films and mostly resorting to re-releases of old hits.

Last week, 46 independent filmmakers came together to call for fair and equal opportunities for their films, typically made on shoestring budgets without mainstream stars, to be shown in cinemas across India. This came on the heels of the limited and inconvenient showtimes given to the film Agra, which director Kanu Behl had publicised on social media.

Experts said these films usually depend on word-of-mouth and critical reviews. While such films used to lure ...