Ever since Anora won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May, a section of the Indian audience has been waiting to watch director Sean Baker’s dark comedy. While the Mikey Madison and Mark Eidelstein-starrer was initially slated to release in India on November 8, the suits at Universal Pictures India changed their mind and are now planning to make it available on video-on-demand later this month. What exactly brought on the change in plans? 

Not a censorship row, as was initially speculated. Sources tell us that the studio did not submit Anora to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) at all, fearing that the body would hand out extensive cuts to the movie. Since the CBFC certificate is a legal requirement for theatrical releases in India, the makers decided to forgo the big-screen route, instead opting for a digital release.