The Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi starrer, Bhool Chuk Maaf, is now slated to hit theaters on May 23, 2025, following a legal battle between the producers, Maddock Films, and the multiplex chain PVRInox. The film's journey to the big screen has been fraught with unexpected twists and turns, initially scheduled for a theatrical release on May 9, 2025.
Just a day before its scheduled release, Maddock Films announced that Bhool Chuk Maaf would instead premiere directly on Amazon Prime Video on May 16, 2025. The production company cited "recent events and the heightened security drills across the nation" amid the India-Pakistan conflict as the reason for the change in plans. However, PVRInox alleged that the decision was due to poor advance bookings.
This sudden shift sparked immediate backlash from distributors and film exhibitors. PVRInox responded by filing a legal case against Maddock Films, seeking ₹60 crore in damages for breach of contract and requesting a stay on the film's digital release. PVRInox argued that the last-minute change was a clear violation of their agreement, which was signed on May 6, 2025, and included an eight-week window before the movie could be streamed online. The Bombay High Court intervened, granting temporary relief to PVRInox by restraining Maddock Films from releasing Bhool Chuk Maaf on any platform until the eight-week holdback period following its theatrical release had expired.
The court's decision emphasized the importance of upholding contractual agreements between production houses and exhibitors. PVRInox's counsel argued that they had already invested in promotions and had advance bookings for the May 9 release. Maddock Films' counsel countered that the eight-week holdback clause would only apply if there was a theatrical release.
Ultimately, Maddock Films and PVRInox reached a mutual agreement, and the court passed an order allowing Bhool Chuk Maaf to release in cinemas on May 23, 2025. Maddock Films is set to resume its marketing campaign to promote the theatrical release.
In an unprecedented move, the Bombay High Court permitted a shortened digital window for Bhool Chuk Maaf, allowing it to debut on Amazon Prime Video on June 6, 2025 – just two weeks after its theatrical release. Typically, Hindi films have an eight-week window between theatrical and OTT releases. Sources confirm that this two-week OTT window is an anomaly due to the court order and will not set a precedent for other films.
With the legal matters resolved, the focus shifts back to Bhool Chuk Maaf. The film is a science fiction romantic comedy directed by Karan Sharma and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films and Amazon MGM Studios. Set in Varanasi, the film revolves around Ranjan (Rajkummar Rao), a romantic who gets a government job to marry his girlfriend, Titli Mishra (Wamiqa Gabbi). As they prepare for their wedding, a bizarre time loop occurs, with Titli being oblivious to it, repeatedly resetting the day to the Haldi ceremony, leaving Ranjan stuck in the frustrating world of a time loop. The movie also stars Seema Pahwa, Sanjay Mishra, and others in supporting roles.
