Bombay HC Restrains OTT Release Of 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' After PVR Inox Alleges Breach Of Agreement
The Bombay High Court on Friday restrained the makers of the Raj Kumar Rao starrer movie Bhool Chuk Maaf from releasing the film on any platform, including OTT, until eight weeks after its theatrical release at PVR Inox theatres. v
PVR approached the court seeking urgent relief, arguing that it had entered into an agreement on May 6, 2025, for the film’s theatrical release across its cinemas in India on May 9. The agreement included a mandatory eight-week holdback period before the film could be released on any other platform. PVR’s counsel, senior advocate Dinyar Madon, submitted that the producers had abruptly terminated the agreement just a day before release and announced an OTT release on May 16 instead. Madon argued that PVR had already incurred significant promotional expenses and made ticket bookings based on the contractual commitments.
Opposing the plea, Maddock’s counsel, senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, contended that the holdback clause would only apply if there was a theatrical release. Since the producers had opted against a theatrical release due to heightened national security concerns, there was no bar on releasing the film on OTT platforms.
However, Justice Arif Doctor observed that PVR had fulfilled its obligations by promoting the film and reserving screens. The judge held that the sudden cancellation would affect PVR’s reputation and goodwill. The court also rejected the producers’ claim that owning the film gave them unfettered discretion over its release, stating that such ownership did not permit a breach of a concluded agreement.
The court noted: “The Plaintiff ( PVR Inox Limited) has in the discharge of its obligations, has taken steps and incurred costs towards marketing and advertising the release of the film in its theatres. The Plaintiff has also reserved the screens for the film and had offered tickets to its consumers basis the promises made under said Agreement and hence any such last minute cancellation would also affect the Plaintiff’s reputation and goodwill.”
Granting interim relief, the court restrained Maddock Films from releasing the film on any platform until eight weeks after its theatrical release at PVR cinemas. “Conversely, the Defendants ( Maddock Films Private Limited) have not taken any steps in the discharge of their obligations under the Agreement,” the judge said.
The HC has scheduled the matter for further hearing on June 16 and meanwhile, asked Maddock to file its reply.
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