Anurag Kashyap Slams Oversized Health Warnings in Theatres, Says It ‘Kills the Mood’ for Films Like Sinners

May 2: Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has voiced strong criticism of the oversized health disclaimers displayed during theatrical screenings of films in India, particularly after the recent release of the action-horror film Sinners. The disclaimers, which read “Smoking and alcohol consumption are injurious to health,” appeared in bold, oversized fonts and have drawn ire for disrupting the cinematic experience.

In an interview, Kashyap said the placement and size of such warnings undermine the emotional and narrative immersion a filmmaker works hard to achieve.

“In a mood piece such as Sinners, these disclaimers yank the audience out of the immersive experience that the filmmaker had painstakingly created, killing the mood and the build-up in the process,” Kashyap explained.

Recalling his own battle with the Indian Censor Board over similar issues, Kashyap cited the case of his 2013 film Ugly, during which he sued the board for imposing health warnings over creative content.

“I argued that it was a fundamental threat to artistic expression,” he said. “The case dragged on, and eventually, we had to abandon the fight and release it after our film got pirated.”

Kashyap also expressed frustration at the lack of policy reform, stating that despite resistance from filmmakers and artists, aesthetic concerns are often ignored by policymakers.

*Sinners*, directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, released in Indian theatres on April 18 to glowing reviews. The film follows twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, as they return to their Mississippi hometown only to face an ancient evil in the form of vampires. The cast also includes Jack O’Connell, Delroy Lindo, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, and Saul Williams.

The film has emerged as a global box office success, grossing $175 million so far, making it the sixth highest-grossing film of 2025.

While Sinners continues to perform strongly, Kashyap’s critique highlights a growing debate in Indian cinema about the balance between public health messaging and creative integrity.