“Kennedy”’s new landmark: Only Indian film on Letterboxd Video Store
The neo‑noir thriller Kennedy, directed by Anurag Kashyap and starring Sunny Leone and Rahul Bhat, has marked a major milestone for Indian cinema. On December 10, 2025, Letterboxd — the globally popular film‑rating and discovery platform — launched its first‑ever global film‑rental service, the Video Store, and “Kennedy” was selected as the only Indian film in the inaugural lineup of curated titles.
The Video Store aims to offer a hand‑picked mix of “acclaimed movies, exclusive Academy Award submissions, and festival‑hits unavailable elsewhere,” available to rent under a transactional video‑on‑demand model (TVOD), rather than a subscription model.
“Kennedy” premiered in 2023 at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and over the last two years has travelled widely across the international festival circuit — including festivals such as the Sydney International Film Festival (Australia), Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (South Korea), Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (Switzerland), and others.
Given this trajectory, the inclusion in Letterboxd’s Video Store is being hailed as a “momentous milestone” by the film’s producers and supporters.
What the inclusion means — and what it doesn’t
For fans and cinephiles around the world, this is a big win. According to Kashyap, “I am happy that finally the film will be available for the general audience to watch in some parts of the world.” He described Kennedy as “one of my most personal films” and expressed eagerness to receive audience feedback and reactions.
Producer Ranjan Singh also termed the selection “a great moment”, expressing pride that Kennedy is the only Indian film in the lineup. He also paid tribute to the support from the studio Zee Studios and the team behind the film.
This new development effectively means that — for the first time — a film that had been largely limited to festival screenings and restricted release hopes may now reach a global audience. Many viewers who may have missed or not had access to Kennedy previously will have a chance to experience it.
However, there’s a notable caveat: at launch, the film will not be available for streaming in India. The Video Store’s debut slate is accessible in 23 countries — including the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Australia, New Zealand, several European countries and more — but India is currently excluded.
The makers say they are “hopeful” that an India release will follow, but for now, the film remains inaccessible for Indian audiences via this platform.
Why this is significant: For “Kennedy”, for Kashyap, and for Indian cinema
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Global exposure beyond festivals: Kennedy has already had a successful festival run, but festival screenings tend to be limited and exclusive. Being part of Letterboxd’s Video Store bridges the gap between festival‑fame and general accessibility, allowing a broader, international audience to watch it.
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Trailblazer for Indian indie cinema: By being the only Indian film in the debut lineup, Kennedy sets a precedent. It shows that Indian films — especially those outside mainstream Bollywood fare — can compete on global discovery platforms, opening a new avenue for independent and auteur‑driven projects.
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Validation for unconventional cinema: The film’s dark mood, gritty narrative and neo‑noir stylings might not suit mainstream Bollywood tastes, but global film enthusiasts often seek this kind of content. Inclusion in a curated international rental store signals validation for such bold, non‑formulaic cinema.
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Hope for eventual domestic release: The team’s expressed hope for an Indian release suggests that this international exposure could create demand back home. Sometimes recognition abroad adds weight and justification for a domestic rollout.
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Democratization of film access: Platforms like Letterboxd offer subscription‑free, rent‑based video‑on‑demand — which allows people to pay only for what they want to watch. For film lovers who seek quality over quantity, this model can bring festival‑class cinema into their homes, irrespective of geography.
But also: Limits remain
While this step is significant, there are still limitations:
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Indian audience can’t watch yet: For viewers in India, including fans of Anurag Kashyap, the film remains unavailable via Letterboxd for now. Unless the producers secure domestic distribution or an OTT deal in India, many Indian viewers may remain cut off.
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Limited to certain countries: Only the 23 countries where Video Store launches can access the film. This excludes a large part of the world, including major regions.
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Rent-only model: Since Video Store works on a pay-per-rent basis (not subscription), viewers have to pay each time they rent a film. This could limit viewership among those who are economical or used to subscription-based services.
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No guarantee of future India release: While the team is hopeful, there’s no confirmed date or guaranteed plan yet for the film’s release in India. Many festival films remain stuck in “limbo” despite overseas acclaim.
What this means for you — for audiences worldwide and in India
For cinephiles outside India: This is a golden chance. If you had missed Kennedy during its festival circuit, or never had access through theatrical or OTT, Letterboxd’s Video Store gives you the opportunity to finally watch the film — legally, with good quality, and in a convenient on‑demand format.
For Indian audiences: The news highlights the ongoing struggle many festival‑class or independent Indian films face — even if they get global recognition, domestic availability is not guaranteed. However, the fact that the creators are optimistic could mean that, given enough interest and demand, Kennedy may still reach Indian viewers. It’s a situation to watch.
For Indian filmmakers and studios: This could mark the beginning of a broader trend. If Kennedy performs well on Letterboxd, it may encourage other Indian indie films to aim for global digital platforms, thereby widening the audience base beyond national borders.
Concluding thoughts
The selection of Kennedy as the only Indian film in the debut lineup of Letterboxd’s first Video Store is much more than a trivial news item. It represents a symbolic — and practical — breakthrough for Indian independent cinema.
For a film that originated as one director’s personal, dark vision, and which traversed the festival circuit for years, to now become accessible globally is a testament to changing dynamics in how films are discovered and consumed.
At a time when digital platforms and global connectivity are transforming entertainment, this development offers hope — hope that cinema deserving of attention can find its audience beyond geographical and commercial constraints. For audiences and creators alike, Kennedy’s journey to Letterboxd might just be the beginning of a new chapter for Indian films on the world stage.
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