Lights, Camera, Discussion! Why cinephiles are now obsessed with movie clubs and community screenings
Shambhavi Dixit | May 21, 2026, 17:27 IST
In a world where even a five-minute YouTube video feels too long, young cinephiles are still taking time out for old classic movie screenings and meaningful discussions.
Image credit : Chatgpt | A space for cinephiles to watch, discuss, and celebrate cinema with like-minded people.
There was a time when we used to wait for Fridays because every Friday meant a new movie release. The anticipation of watching a film on the big screen felt far greater than simply waiting for a new release online. Watching movies in theatres made me feel as if I was inside the film itself, becoming a part of its story and emotions. The characters stayed with me long after the credits rolled. I would lie awake at night wondering if Heer died or Jordon died at the end of the movie, carrying those questions and emotions with me for days. Eventually, those thoughts faded away after two or three days, a vivid memory almost every cinephile carries within them.
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Today, we are living in a time where weekly and monthly movie screenings driven by communities are bringing together like-minded cinephiles under one roof. But unlike before, we no longer take our thoughts and opinions home silently. We discuss them, debate them and relive every emotion of the film together, almost as if we are talking about our own lives. These spaces are now popularly known as movie clubs. Here are five well-known movie clubs in India that are building strong cinephile communities.
![Lights, Camera, Discussion: Gen Z’s Growing Obsession With Movie Clubs]()
A bucket of popcorn in your hands, sitting on the floor of an abandoned café in Delhi, and covering your eyes during the scariest scenes, that is what a Khatarnaak screening is known for. The Khatarnaak Movie Club was started by two horror film screenwriters in Delhi after they realised there were no movie clubs dedicated entirely to the horror genre. The screening locations keep changing, but most screenings are usually held in an abandoned café in Jangpura, adding to the eerie experience.
Run by Humans of Cinema, this club combines film discussions, workshops and meetups across multiple Indian cities. The community mainly focuses on understanding film characters, the way filmmakers develop them, and the psychology and motivations behind their actions. Through its Instagram page, the club regularly shares detailed analyses exploring the psyche and emotional depth of iconic characters from cinema. More than commercial success or box office numbers, the community appreciates films for their storytelling, emotional impact and artistic depth.
Today, we are living in a time where weekly and monthly movie screenings driven by communities are bringing together like-minded cinephiles under one roof. But unlike before, we no longer take our thoughts and opinions home silently. We discuss them, debate them and relive every emotion of the film together, almost as if we are talking about our own lives. These spaces are now popularly known as movie clubs. Here are five well-known movie clubs in India that are building strong cinephile communities.
Image credit : Pinterest | A place for all the cinema lovers who love to watch and analyze movies
Khatarnaak Movie Club
Humans of Cinema Film Club
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Shamiana - The Short Film Club
Image credit : Shamina the short film club | One of the most well-regarded film clubs in the country, known for its screenings of short films.
The Bombay Movie Collective
The Big Hoom Club
Image credit : The Big Hoom Club | Popular among Delhi film enthusiasts for their theme based film screenings and after discussion.
In this fast-paced, high-tech world, if there is one thing that remains constant, it is cinema, an art form that evolves with time while still staying connected to its roots. Its relevance and significance cannot be taken for granted because cinema often influences the way we think, question and process the realities of the world around us. As it is often said, every art form carries an idea, a perspective or even a form of propaganda. As viewers, it becomes important for us to understand the thought behind that art. Communities like movie clubs are helping people engage with cinema more deeply, encouraging discussions and allowing ideas to stay with audiences long after the screening ends. As Camille Paglia once said, “A society that forgets art risks losing its soul.”
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