Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 23: Maddock Films’ last-minute decision to skip a theatrical release for Bhool Chuk Maaf and go straight to streaming has triggered a Rs 60-cr lawsuit from PVR Inox. The theatre chain accused the studio of breaching contract after pulling the film a day before its planned May 9 release.

Starring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi, the comedy was seen as a potential crowd-puller in a sluggish cinema market. Maddock cited high India-Pakistan tensions and IPL suspension as reasons for opting for a digital-first release. However, following a Bombay High Court order, the film has now hit theatres today, with a two-week window before it streams on Amazon Prime.

Industry voices remain doubtful of its box office success. “It feels like a cut-and-run,” said one analyst, noting that unlike previous Maddock hits like Chhaava, this film has a much shorter theatrical window.

Actor Aamir Khan, weighing in on the OTT trend, said filmmakers must now be upfront about whether their films are truly meant for theatres. As streaming platforms dominate and viewer habits shift, Bhool Chuk Maaf highlights the growing tensions between creative decisions and commercial commitments.