The sudden cancellation of the theatrical release of Bhool Chuk Maaf, starring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi, has sparked a major dispute between PVR INOX and Maddock Films, now playing out in the Bombay High Court.
What Happened?
Originally scheduled to hit cinemas on May 9, Bhool Chuk Maaf was pulled from its theatrical release just a day after the Pahalgam terror attack, with Maddock Films citing “heightened security drills” as the reason. The family entertainer is now slated to stream directly on Amazon Prime Video from May 16, globally.
PVR’s Legal Stand
According to a report , a top exhibitor confirmed that PVR has taken legal action, accusing Maddock Films of a breach of contract:
“All the contracts were signed, and then suddenly Maddock backed off. Hence, this is a case of breach,” the exhibitor said.
Maddock’s Possible Defense
An insider speculated that Maddock may invoke the ‘force majeure’ clause—citing unforeseen national events like the terror attack—as a legitimate reason to bypass contractual obligations. However, exhibitors argue that Maddock could have simply delayed the release instead of opting for an OTT premiere, suggesting the real reason may have been poor advance bookings.
Industry Impact
This legal action may set a precedent. Exhibitors reportedly want to deter other production houses from bypassing theatrical commitments for quick OTT releases, especially at the last minute.
Ticket Sales & Expectations
Despite Maddock’s reasoning, reports suggest that Bhool Chuk Maaf had already sold over 3,000 tickets at PVR INOX and Cinepolis, and was projected to earn around ₹4 crore on its opening day.
Film Details: Bhool Chuk Maaf
- Lead Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi
- Director: Karan Sharma
- Streaming Release: May 16 on Prime Video
- Theatrical Release (Cancelled): May 9
- Presented by: Maddock Films & Amazon MGM Studios
- Supporting Cast: Seema Pahwa, Sanjay Mishra
- Special Appearance: Dhanashree Verma in the song Ting Ling Sajna
