Busan pick 'Max, Min & Meowzaki' sets India theatrical release
After its Busan International Film Festival debut and a Palm Springs Best of Fest selection, Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy's family drama Max, Min & Meowzaki is headed to Indian cinemas nationwide. Variety reports exclusively that Platoon One Films will distribute the SSO Productions title across India, with a theatrical release set for July 24, 2026. The deal marks a notable busan palm springs selection for contemporary Indian indie cinema seeking a proper theatrical window.
Key Takeaways
- Platoon One Films will release Max, Min & Meowzaki in cinemas across India on July 24, 2026.
- The film debuted at Busan and was picked for Palm Springs' Best of Fest lineup.
- It also screened at the International Film Festival of Kerala.
- Director Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy previously earned acclaim for A Billion Colour Story.
- Platoon One frames the deal as part of a theatrical push for bold, non-formula Indian films.
What Is 'Max, Min & Meowzaki' About?
According to Variety, the film follows three generations of Mahadevan men who find themselves suddenly single at the same time. Their overlapping stories touch messy young relationships, family ties, differing ideologies and sexualities, therapy, and healing.
At the center is a cat named Meowzaki, named after Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. Producers Samiksha and Shael Oswal of SSO Productions backed the project. Narasimhamurthy, who previously helmed A Billion Colour Story to critical acclaim, directs.
Where Has the Film Already Screened?
Before its India rollout, Max, Min & Meowzaki built festival momentum on the international circuit. It debuted at the Busan International Film Festival and was part of the Best of Fest selection at Palm Springs.
The drama also played at the International Film Festival of Kerala, giving domestic festival audiences an early look. That busan palm springs selection pedigree helped position the title for a proper theatrical window rather than a straight-to-streaming path.
Why Does Platoon One's India Deal Matter?
Platoon One Films founder Shiladitya Bora said the distributor backs films that do not fit a traditional formula—and backs them theatrically. He called Max, Min & Meowzaki a warm, deeply human story about love, loss, and the lives people quietly build around each other.
Bora added that Platoon One aims to champion bold, distinct voices and give singular films a real theatrical stage, describing the company as building "India's A24" one uncompromised film at a time. For more release news like this, see our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.
When Does 'Max, Min & Meowzaki' Open in India?
Variety confirms the nationwide cinema release is set for July 24. Platoon One is betting that audiences will turn out for character-driven storytelling that stands apart from algorithm-chasing fare.
With festival credentials from Busan and Palm Springs already in place, the July date gives distributors time to convert buzz into box-office momentum across India's theatrical market.