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Rahul Bhat's 'Kennedy': How a Banned Film Carved Its Own Global Destiny

Rahul Bhat is overjoyed that his film "Kennedy" has finally found an audience. Despite being blocked from a release in India, the film has traveled the world to major festivals. It has now achieved a milestone as the first Indian film on Letterboxd's Video on Demand platform in 26 countries. Bhat sees this not just as a release, but as a powerful movement for truthful cinema.

Key Points: Rahul Bhat on Kennedy Film Limited Release Letterboxd Milestone

  • Rahul Bhat celebrates the film's unique release on Letterboxd Video on Demand
  • The film premiered at Cannes but never saw a theatrical release in India
  • Bhat calls the global digital release a "movement" and a victory for cinema
  • The Anurag Kashyap-directed thriller follows an insomniac ex-cop seeking redemption
2 min read

Rahul Bhat on 'Kennedy' getting limited release: This film carved its own destiny

Actor Rahul Bhat shares an emotional note as 'Kennedy' gets a landmark limited release on Letterboxd VOD across 26 countries, calling it a cinematic movement.

"This film carved its own destiny. It travelled across the world, across cultures, across hearts. – Rahul Bhat"

Mumbai, Dec 12

Indian actor Rahul Bhat has shared an emotional note as “Kennedy” finally finds a limited release on a Letterboxd video on demand, becoming the only Indian film to do so across 26 countries. He went on to say that the film carved its own destiny.

Rahul wrote on Instagram: “It started from here… Kennedy premiered at @cannesfilmfestival, and though it never saw a release in India, it refused to be stopped. This film carved its own destiny. It travelled across the world, across cultures, across hearts ,becoming one of the most loved and celebrated journeys of my life.”

“Festival after festival, continent after continent… the love only grew. To those who tried to hold this film back: You couldn’t stop it then, and you can’t stop it now. Muddai lakh bura chahe toh kya hota hai, Wahi hota hai jo manzoor-e-khuda hota hai.”

The actor called the release of the film on Letterboxd Video on Demand a milestone.

“Today, Kennedy becomes the first and only Indian film to be on Letterboxd Video on Demand across 26 countries. A film that was never allowed to come home… is now being embraced by the world. This is more than a release. This is a movement. This is the power of cinema.”

“And to those who tried to silence it, you cannot dim a light that destiny itself protects.

This is not just a milestone. This is cinema choosing its own path. This is the power of truth, of passion, of art that refuses to bow,” he wrote.

“With gratitude in my heart ,to every festival, every audience, every voice that stood by us — thank you for giving Kennedy the flight it deserved. “

Kennedy, directed by Anurag Kashyap and headlined by Rahul Bhat, first premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and has since travelled to several major festivals worldwide.

The film follows an insomniac ex-cop who dwells in different circumstances looking for redemption. The ex-cop, who is presumed dead for a long time, operates secretly for the corrupt system.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Honestly, it's disappointing when good Indian cinema struggles to find a platform in its own country. We celebrate when a film does well abroad, but why wasn't it released here? The CBFC needs to be more supportive of diverse storytelling.
A
Aman W
Wahi hota hai jo manzoor-e-khuda hota hai! What a line. Rahul Bhat's passion is palpable. It's a new age for cinema - if one door closes, the internet opens a hundred more. Letterboxd VOD across 26 countries is huge for Indian indie films. 🎬
S
Sarah B
As someone living abroad, I'm thrilled I finally get to watch this! I've been following its festival journey since Cannes. It's a testament to the film's quality that it kept getting selected worldwide. Can't wait to stream it this weekend.
V
Vikram M
While I admire the struggle, I do feel the narrative is a bit dramatic. Many good films face release issues. The true victory is in the art itself, not just in overcoming obstacles. Still, congratulations to the team for this unique digital release.
K
Kavya N
This gives me hope! Our cinema is so much more than just Bollywood masala films. Stories like Kennedy need to be told and seen. Maybe this VOD success will encourage more platforms to pick up niche Indian content. Jai ho!

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