Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi’s upcoming film Bhool Chuk Maaf has been in the news recently, but not for the right reasons. The movie, produced by Maddock Films, was initially scheduled to release in theatres. However, just a day before its planned release, the makers decided to skip the theatrical launch and go directly for an OTT release on Amazon Prime Video.
This sudden decision didn’t go well with India’s biggest multiplex chain, PVRINOX. The cinema chain took the matter to the Bombay High Court, claiming that Maddock Films had violated their agreement by cancelling the release at the last minute. PVRINOX even demanded ₹60 crore as compensation for the losses they faced due to this last-minute change.
Now, after legal battles and discussions, the issue seems to have been sorted out. The makers have announced that Bhool Chuk Maaf will now be released in theatres on May 23, 2025, and it will stream on Amazon Prime Video two weeks later, on June 6.
Both Maddock Films and PVRINOX have released official statements saying they’ve resolved their differences.
Dinesh Vijan, the founder of Maddock Films, shared his thoughts on the situation. He said,
“As our surroundings begin to heal, we’re happy to offer a theatrical experience for a film that speaks from the heart. During times when family is everything, we invite everyone to come to theatres with their loved ones and enjoy a story that will hopefully bring some joy. We also thank our exhibition partners for standing by us and continuing to support storytelling in cinemas.”
Kamal Gianchandani, CEO of PVRINOX, also issued a statement, saying,
“We are proud to support the theatre experience, which is a big part of Indian cinema culture. We understand the challenges Maddock Films faced in finalising the release of Bhool Chuk Maaf, and we appreciate their decision to release it in cinemas. This shows the strong relationship between content creators and exhibitors, and we look forward to a successful release.”
To rewind a bit, on May 8, just one day before the original release date, Maddock Films shared on social media that the film would skip theatres and release directly on Amazon Prime Video on May 16. The production house cited nationwide security concerns as the reason for the sudden change, saying:
“In light of recent events and the heightened security drills across the nation, we’ve decided to bring Bhool Chuk Maaf directly to your homes. While we were looking forward to seeing you in theatres, the safety of the nation comes first. Jai Hind.”
Two days later, on May 10, PVRINOX filed a case in Bombay High Court, claiming that Maddock Films had broken their contract, causing financial damage. The court issued an interim order, stopping Maddock Films from releasing the movie on any platform until eight weeks after its theatrical run at PVR cinemas.
Following this court decision, Maddock Films confirmed that the movie will now hit theatres on May 23 and will be available on Amazon Prime Video from June 6. As part of the agreement, PVRINOX has withdrawn its ₹60 crore compensation claim.
With both sides finally on the same page, fans can now look forward to watching Bhool Chuk Maaf in theatres soon.
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