In a major legal development, the Bombay High Court has restrained the makers of ‘Bhool Chuk Maaf’ from releasing the film directly on OTT platforms. The film, starring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi, was originally slated for theatrical release but faced last-minute hurdles due to a shift in distribution plans.
PVR Inox, one of India’s leading multiplex chains, filed a ₹60 crore claim against Maddock Films, alleging breach of a theatrical release agreement. According to PVR, the producers violated their contractual commitment to an 8-week exclusive theatrical window by attempting to release the movie directly online.
Court Upholds Theatrical Release Agreement
The Bombay High Court, taking cognizance of the agreement terms, has issued an interim order blocking the film’s OTT release. The court stated that citing “security concerns” and commercial reasons to cancel a planned theatrical release is unjustified and breaches the signed contract.
Maddock Films, the production house behind Bhool Chuk Maaf, had earlier pulled the film from theatrical release just a day before its scheduled release date, May 9, citing ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. This prompted PVR Inox to take legal action, arguing that it had made all preparations for the theatrical launch.
Next Court Hearing on June 16
The High Court has made it clear that until the agreed holdback period ends, the film cannot be released on any digital platform. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for June 16.
This legal setback has significantly impacted the film’s release strategy and poses a serious challenge for its makers. It remains to be seen whether Maddock Films will revise its distribution approach or continue to fight the legal battle.
Background: A Last-Minute U-Turn
‘Bhool Chuk Maaf’ was heavily promoted for a May 9 theatrical release. However, on May 8, news broke that the makers were considering a direct-to-OTT release, allegedly due to national security concerns. This sudden change of plans triggered backlash and legal repercussions.
Fans now await clarity on the movie’s final release path, but for now, it’s officially off the OTT radar—at least until the court’s next directive.
