Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur recently revealed that his 1994 film Bandit Queen was edited without his consent on an OTT platform. Starring Seema Biswas in the lead role, the film was based on Mala Sen's book India's Bandit Queen: The True Story of Phoolan Devi. However, it was embroiled in controversies due to its graphic depiction of sexual violence and its portrayal of Phoolan Devi's life.
The film faced a temporary ban as well as strong criticism from Phoolan Devi herself, who disputed its accuracy. According to media reports she had also accused the makers of the film of exploitation.
On Tuesday (March 18), director Shekhar Kapur took to his X account to reveal that the film's OTT version was altered without his knowledge.
"I wonder if OTT platforms would let me make #BanditQueen the way I made it years ago. The Bandit Queen on #AmazonPrime is unrecognisable from my film. Someone has cut it beyond recognition. And yet it carries my name as director. And no one asked me! Are we lesser beings than Western Directors?" he asked.
"Would they have the guts to cut a Chris Nolan film without his permission?" Kapur further wrote.
I wonder @IAmSudhirMishra if OTT platforms would let me make #BanditQueen the way I made it years ago. The Bandit Queen on #AmazonPrime is unrecognisable from my film. Someone has cut it beyond recognition. And yet it carries my name as Director. And no one asked me! Are we… https://t.co/LoYtkddlvp
— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) March 18, 2025
Soon after he shared the post, several filmmakers expressed shock over the revelation.
Director Kunal Kohli wrote, "Today’s @shekharkapur with your Hollywood successes would be allowed to make it. But the Shekhar Kapur before Bandit Queen would definitely not be allowed by any OTT to make Bandit Queen the way he wants to. Cutting / Hacking your film without your permission is shocking to say the least."
On the other hand, filmmaker Hansal Mehta wrote, "That is the point I’ve been trying to make @shekharkapur. Are we here to foster superior storytelling or to produce cattle-feed? Leave the good stories, the innovative storytelling, the silences, the slow burn, the experiments, the audacity, the budgets to the superior minds from the west. Welcome back to the days of colonisation."
That is the point I’ve been trying to make @shekharkapur . Are we here to foster superior storytelling or to produce cattle-feed ? Leave the good stories, the innovative storytelling, the silences, the slow burn, the experiments, the audacity, the budgets to the superior minds… https://t.co/1hO7opcxs5
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) March 18, 2025
Bandit Queen had faced controversy in India due to its bold portrayal of Phoolan Devi's life, particularly its depiction of sexual violence, caste oppression, and female exploitation. It chronicled the real-life experiences of feared dacoit Phoolan Devi.
Phoolan Devi, upon her release from prison, opposed the film, claiming it depicted her life without her consent and humiliated her. She filed a case against the filmmakers, arguing that the film's explicit scenes - especially those showing her sexual assault - were distressing and misrepresented her story. Following her petition, the Delhi High Court had temporarily banned the film in India.
The film featured graphic scenes of sexual violence, including a prolonged sequence of gang rape and public humiliation. The Central Board of Film Certification initially refused to certify it, citing its explicit nature. However, after international acclaim and pressure, it was later cleared for release with some cuts.
While Bandit Queen was praised globally, winning accolades at the Cannes Film Festival, its reception in India was starkly different.