Amazon Prime Video DENIES making edits in OTT version of Shekhar Kapur’s Bandit Queen: Report

2 days ago

The ongoing controversy surrounding Shekhar Kapur’s Bandit Queen has taken a new turn as Prime Video has officially denied the filmmaker’s claims of unauthorized edits to the movie on their platform. The streaming giant clarified that they have not made any modifications to the film and that the version currently available on their service is the one provided by the film’s distributor, NH Studioz.

Report

Amazon Prime Video DENIES making edits in OTT version of Shekhar Kapur’s Bandit Queen: Report

Prime Video’s Official Statement

In response to Kapur’s allegations, Prime Video issued a statement, as reported by Times Now, stating, “Prime Video has not made any edits to the version of the film Bandit Queen currently streaming on the service. The version available on Prime Video is the version provided by the film’s distributor, NH Studioz.”

This clarification comes after Kapur took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his dissatisfaction, claiming that his film had been significantly altered on the streaming platform without his knowledge or consent.

Shekhar Kapur’s Strong Reaction

The controversy began when Kapur, while discussing Netflix’s series Adolescence, raised concerns about how OTT platforms treat Indian filmmakers. He posted, “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 lesser beings than Western Directors? Would they have the guts to cut a Chris Nolan film without his permission?”

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

Kapur continued his criticism with a detailed post about the painstaking process of filmmaking and editing. He questioned the motivations behind altering the film and lamented the potential impact on the performances and music, particularly mentioning Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s contributions to the soundtrack. “Did you even think about the love we give for our art? Did you think about how Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s beautiful work was affected as you so carelessly butchered the film? Or the performances in the film from actors? For you were not there when we shot the film in a punishing 50-degree heat.”

He concluded with a pointed remark about the treatment of Indian filmmakers, stating, “For we are Indian filmmakers … so who cares?”

The anguish a director and editor go through when editing their films. The days/nights spent arguing, fighting over each edit, each cut. I remember those months with Renu Saluja and myself on #BanditQueen. And then some random person carelessly cuts the film for OTT release?

I…

— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) March 19, 2025

What’s Next?

With Prime Video refuting Kapur’s claims, the spotlight now shifts to NH Studioz, the film’s distributor, for further clarification. It remains to be seen how Kapur will respond to the platform’s statement and whether any further action will be taken.

Also Read: Shekhar Kapur SLAMS Prime Video for “carelessly butchering” Bandit Queen for OTT release