New Delhi: Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi’s Upcoming Film Bhool chuk maaf has sparked controversy after its sudden shift from a theatrical release to an OTT debut. Initially slated to hit cinemas on May 9, the film was later announced for release on Prime Video due to the ongoing cross-border tension between India and Pakistan. Notably, this move has prompted a legal backlash.
PVR Cinemas has now filed a Rs 60 crore lawsuit against the film’s production house, Maddock Films. Kamal Gianchandani, CEO of PVR Pictures Ltd, confirmed to News9Live, stating that the last-minute cancellation led to substantial financial losses. A senior official also confirmed that the lawsuit has been officially filed.
Maddock Films, known for delivering a streak of box-office hits, has called off the theatrical release of its upcoming comedy Bhool chuk maaf, starring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi. The film will now premiere directly on Prime Video on May 16. “In view of current events and intensified national security protocols, Maddock Films and Amazon MGM Studios have decided to release Bhool chuk maaf, our family entertainer, straight to your screens—exclusively on Prime Video, worldwide,” the studio said in a statement.
“We were excited to bring this film to cinemas, but national interest comes first. JAI HIND,” it added.
For the unversed, Maddock Films has had a remarkable run in 2024, with theatrical successes like Teri baaton mein aisa uljha jiya, munjya, and Stree 2. Their OTT titles, Murder Mubarak and Sector 36, also garnered appreciation on Netflix. Additionally, the studio has delivered box office winners Sky Force and Chhaava this year.
According to a May 7 report by Pinkvilla, Bhool chuk maaf had already sold 3,000 tickets across PVR INOX and Cinepolis chains and was projected to rake in around Rs 4 crore on opening day.
The shift to OTT comes amid rising India-Pakistan tensions. The countries are at odds following Operation Sindoor, in which Indian forces targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan in retaliation for the deadly Pahalgam attack.
