In a big interim ruling, the Bombay High Court on May 9, 2025, granted ad-interim reduction to PVR Inox Limited, restraining Maddock Films and its associates from releasing the movie Bhool Chuk Maaf on any platform—together with OTT—till the expiry of an 8-week holdback interval following its first theatrical release in India. The verdict got here after PVR Inox moved the courtroom urgently, following Maddock Films’ sudden revocation of their settlement only a day earlier than the movie’s scheduled theatrical release on May 9.
EXCLUSIVE: Bombay High Court restrains OTT release of Bhool Chuk Maaf; upholds PVR Inox’s rights; next hearing on June 16 (COMPLETE DETAILS INSIDE)
The core dispute arose when Maddock Films, citing considerations over heightened nationwide safety, cancelled the theatrical launch and opted for a direct OTT release on May 16 by means of a platform owned by one of the defendants (Amazon Prime Video). However, PVR Inox argued that this was a transparent breach of their binding settlement signed on May 6, 2025, which mandated not solely a theatrical release but additionally an 8-week exclusivity window earlier than any digital premiere.
Maddock Films argued that the clause requiring an 8-week theatrical holdback solely utilized if the movie was launched in cinemas (which they opted to not do attributable to heightened nationwide safety considerations), claimed they’d the precise to decide on the release platform as copyright holders, and contended that PVR Inox, having opted for damages, couldn’t search injunctive reduction.
One of the central considerations raised by PVR Inox’s counsel, Mr Dinyar Madon, was that each one 31 PVR theatres in New Delhi — the place the movie was scheduled to be launched — had been totally operational, had commenced promotional exercise weeks prematurely, and had additionally registered important advance bookings. This instantly countered Maddock’s declare that elevated safety considerations had necessitated the shift. The courtroom took be aware that Maddock didn’t produce any official authorities round or notification supporting the choice, and clarified that the one cinema closure cited—one in Jodhpur—was irrelevant because the movie was by no means scheduled to release there.
Justice Arif S Doctor remarked that the choice to scrap the theatrical release was pushed purely by business calculations. The producers had seemingly concluded {that a} direct-to-OTT technique was extra helpful beneath the present circumstances. However, the Court firmly held that this was not a sound foundation to stroll away from a binding settlement. The decide noticed that mere inconvenience or change in financial outlook doesn’t grant a celebration the freedom to renege on contractual obligations — particularly within the absence of a pressure majeure clause, which the settlement in query didn’t include.
In distinction to Maddock Films’ inaction, PVR Inox had fulfilled its half of the cut price—blocking screens throughout India, selling the movie through social media, in-theatre standees, and video partitions, and initiating public ticket gross sales primarily based on the agreed release date. The decide famous {that a} last-minute cancellation of this magnitude wouldn’t solely hurt the multiplex operator financially however might additionally harm its popularity and shopper belief.
Furthermore, the courtroom rejected the defence that PVR had forfeited its proper to an injunction by demanding damages. It held that beneath Section 42 of the Specific Relief Act, a plaintiff should still search injunctive reduction regardless of having sought compensation in parallel. The courtroom additionally denied the copyright holder’s argument that possession allowed them to unilaterally select the release platform, stating it couldn’t override a concluded contractual settlement.
The matter is now listed for additional hearing on June 16, 2025. Until then, Bhool Chuk Maaf can’t be launched on OTT or another non-theatrical platform in India.
Also Read: Dinesh Vijan speaks out on Bhool Chuk Maaf direct to release on Amazon Prime amid political tensions: “It’s natural to wonder how this will impact the film”
More Pages: Bhool Chuk Maaf Box Office Collection
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