In a significant development, the Bombay High Court issued an ad-interim injunction restraining Maddock Films from releasing its upcoming movie Bhool Chuk Maaf on any OTT platform before fulfilling its contractual theatrical run.
The ruling follows a legal petition filed by cinema chain PVR Inox, which argued that Maddock’s sudden decision to skip theaters breached their agreement.
Maddock’s Last-Minute Switch Triggers Legal Battle
Originally set for a theatrical release on May 9, Bhool Chuk Maaf was pulled from cinemas just a day before its debut. Maddock Films announced that the movie would now premiere directly on Amazon Prime Video on May 16.
The production house justified the move by citing national security concerns.
“In light of 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—only on Prime Video, worldwide,” the studio said via social media.
This abrupt change prompted PVR Inox to approach the court, claiming that Maddock’s announcement violated a legally binding agreement signed on May 6, 2025.
Core Of The Dispute
At the heart of the issue is an eight-week exclusivity clause in the agreement between Maddock Films and PVR Inox. According to PVR Inox, the contract clearly mandated that the film must run in theaters for at least eight weeks before it could be released on any digital platform.
The multiplex chain alleged that Maddock’s decision not only broke this clause but also caused significant financial disruption, including cancelled bookings and marketing losses.
Star Cast & Directorial Debut
Bhool Chuk Maaf marks the first on-screen pairing of Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi. The film is written and directed by Karan Sharma, and is promoted as a light-hearted family entertainer.
With the court issuing a temporary block on the OTT release, the legal matter remains unresolved. The next hearing is scheduled for June 16, where both parties will present their arguments in greater detail.
Until then, the fate of Bhool Chuk Maaf hangs in the balance. Whether the film eventually hits cinemas or proceeds to Prime Video will depend on how the court interprets the balance between contractual obligations and national concerns.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
