Explained: What is controversy behind Bhool Chuk Maaf¡¯s release? Know Bombay HC¡¯s order against its OTT debut

In a week that was supposed to mark a mega theatrical release of Bhool Chuk Maaf, a family entertainer starring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi, the Indian film industry was instead shaken by a legal drama that has revealed deep fissures in the producer¨Cdistributor¨Cexhibitor equation.

On May 9, 2025, the Bombay High Court issued a crucial ad-interim injunction barring Maddock Films from releasing Bhool Chuk Maaf on any digital or non-theatrical platform, including Amazon Prime Video, which was supposed to premiere on May 16. The reason? It was a last-minute contractual breach that saw PVR Inox, India¡¯s largest multiplex chain, being blindsided by the film¡¯s sudden shift to OTT just one day before its theatrical debut.

Here¡¯s the timeline of the fallout

The spark igniting the legal controversy came on May 8, when Maddock Films announced that they were scrapping the theatrical release of Bhool Chuk Maaf, citing "heightened national security concerns" in the wake of recent terror attacks in Pahalgam. Instead, the studio declared the film would now go live directly on Amazon Prime Video on May 16.

The statement, cloaked in patriotic sentiment, read: ¡°In light of the recent events and the heightened security drills across the nation, we at Maddock Films and Amazon MGM Studios have decided to bring our family entertainer, Bhool Chuk Maaf, directly to your homes on May 16¡ªonly on Prime Video, worldwide. While we were eagerly looking forward to celebrating the film with you in theatres, the spirit of the nation comes first. Jai Hind.¡±

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But behind this sudden pivot, a different narrative was brewing.

The legal twist: PVR Inox vs Maddock Films

Just hours after the announcement, PVR Inox moved the Bombay High Court, alleging a breach of contract. According to their filings, a binding agreement was signed on May 6, 2025, under which Maddock Films had committed to a theatrical release, along with an 8-week exclusivity holdback before any digital debut.

PVR contended that millions had already been spent on promotions - standees, advance bookings, video walls, and social media campaigns. Particularly, 31 theatres in New Delhi alone had begun ticket sales and were fully operational. This directly contradicted Maddock's assertion that national security concerns were the reason for the change in plan.

Senior advocate Dinyar Madon, representing PVR Inox, noted that Maddock Films failed to produce any official government directive or closure notice supporting their claim. The court, too, was sceptical, with Justice Arif S Doctor remarking that the move was not prompted by genuine concerns but rather by "commercial calculations."

The verdict so far: No OTT release, for now

In a stinging interim order, the Court ruled in favour of PVR Inox and barred the digital release of Bhool Chuk Maaf until the expiry of the 8-week holdback, meaning the film must first be released theatrically, or not released at all during that window. The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on June 16, 2025.

Importantly, as per a Bollywood Hungama report, the court emphasised that:

• Mere inconvenience or financial recalculations cannot justify violating contractual terms.
• The agreement did not contain a force majeure clause, which would have otherwise excused performance under exceptional circumstances.
• Copyright ownership does not override signed contractual obligations.
• PVR¡¯s demand for damages of ?60 crore does not prevent them from also seeking injunctive relief under Section 42 of the Specific Relief Act.

What Maddock films argued?

Maddock¡¯s defence hinged on three main arguments:

• The 8-week clause applied only if the film was released theatrically - since they had opted against that route, it was void.
• As copyright holders, they claimed the right to determine the mode of release.
• PVR Inox had already claimed damages, so it couldn¡¯t also seek an injunction.

However, the court systematically rejected all three. Particularly damning was the fact that the only cinema closure Maddock cited was in Jodhpur, a city where the film was never scheduled to open.

Industry reactions: What does this mean for Bollywood?

This incident has created a precedent that could reshape release strategies and contractual obligations within the Indian film industry. While many producers have increasingly shown interest in direct-to-digital strategies, especially post-pandemic, this case underscores that once a theatrical release deal is inked, it cannot be unilaterally revoked.

An industry insider shared with Bollywood Hungama, "This legal action isn't just about this film. It's a signal to the industry. Multiplex chains want to ensure producers don't use OTT as a fallback if pre-release buzz or ticket sales look weak."

Moreover, the case has emotional undertones. Just a week before the fallout, Dinesh Vijan (Maddock Films) and Ajay Bijli (PVR Inox) had shared the stage at WAVES 2025, a media summit celebrating future collaborations. PVR is also a distribution partner for several of Maddock¡¯s upcoming films. The sudden rupture in this seemingly stable relationship has left industry observers stunned.

As of now, Bhool Chuk Maaf remains unreleased, neither in cinemas nor on OTT. The next legal hearing will determine its fate. Stay tuned to Indiatimes for further updates!

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