A day before its planned theatrical debut, the team behind Bhool Chuk Maaf, starring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi, shocked audiences by announcing a direct-to-OTT release instead. The decision, shared by Maddock Films, was attributed to national security concerns in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, which led the producers to forgo a cinema release. The film was initially set to premiere on Prime Video on May 16.
Legal Fallout: Court Halts OTT Release
This sudden shift has landed Maddock Films in a legal battle. PVR Inox, India’s leading cinema chain, filed a lawsuit seeking Rs 60 crore in damages, accusing the production house of breaching their agreement and causing significant financial harm. PVR Inox claims that the decision to abandon the theatrical release was based on poor ticket sales rather than national security concerns, which Maddock Films cited.
In response, the Bombay High Court intervened, issuing an interim ruling that blocks the film from being released on any platform, including OTT, until the mandatory eight-week window for theatrical releases has passed. This regulation is designed to protect cinema revenues after a film’s theater run.
PVR Inox contends that it had signed an agreement with Maddock on May 6, but two days later, the production house opted to pull out, leaving the cinema chain with significant marketing expenses for over 30 theaters. In its defense, Maddock Films argued that the rule applies only to movies that are officially released in theaters, a category Bhool Chuk Maaf never fell into.
The court, however, sided with PVR Inox, stating that such abrupt cancellations damage business relationships and financial trust. Despite this, Maddock Films and Amazon MGM Studios issued a joint statement emphasizing their primary concern for national safety and their decision to opt for a home release.
The final verdict on the film’s release will be made in court on June 16, leaving its fate hanging in the balance for now.
