Bombay High Court blocks OTT release of 'Bhool Chuk Maaf'. Here's why

We recently reported that the Rajkummar Rao-Wamiqa Gabbi film Bhool Chuk Maaf was skipping its theatrical release in favour of a direct OTT release on Prime Video in light of recent political and border tensions between India and Pakistan. The film, earlier slated for a May 9 theatrical release, aimed for a May 16 streaming premiere.

However, the Bombay High Court has, in an interim order, restrained production house Maddock Films from releasing it on any platform for eight weeks without its theatrical release on the screens owned by PVR Inox, which moved the court alleging a breach of contract, signed May 6, by the banner. The HC, which scheduled the matter for further hearing on June 16, has asked Maddock Films to file its reply.

While Maddock's counsel Venkatesh Dhond argued that the eight-week `holdback' clause would only apply if a theatrical release happened, while a bench presided by Justice Arif Doctor on Friday said PVR Inox had fulfilled its obligations by promoting the film, reserved screens and offered tickets to its consumers and a sudden cancellation would affect its "reputation and goodwill."

In Bhool Chuk Maaf, Rajkummar Rao plays Ranjan, a young man who makes a vow to Lord Shiva to help him land a government job as a prerequisite for marriage to his love Titli, but to his luck, he forgets it. This unfortunate scenario lands him in a Groundhog Day situation—reliving his haldi day on a loop—until he fulfils his vow. Directed by Karan Sharma, the film also features Seema Pahwa, Zakir Hussain, and Raghubir Yadav.

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