In a major interim ruling, the Bombay Excessive Court docket on Could 9, 2025, granted ad-interim reduction to PVR Inox Restricted, restraining Maddock Movies 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 launch in India. The decision got here after PVR Inox moved the court docket urgently, following Maddock Movies’ sudden revocation of their settlement only a day earlier than the movie’s scheduled theatrical launch on Could 9.
EXCLUSIVE: Bombay Excessive Court docket restrains OTT launch of Bhool Chuk Maaf; upholds PVR Inox’s rights; subsequent listening to on June 16 (COMPLETE DETAILS INSIDE)
The core dispute arose when Maddock Movies, citing considerations over heightened nationwide safety, cancelled the theatrical launch and opted for a direct OTT launch on Could 16 by means of a platform owned by one of many defendants (Amazon Prime Video). Nonetheless, PVR Inox argued that this was a transparent breach of their binding settlement signed on Could 6, 2025, which mandated not solely a theatrical launch but additionally an 8-week exclusivity window earlier than any digital premiere.
Maddock Movies 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 on account of heightened nationwide safety considerations), claimed that they had the precise to decide on the discharge platform as copyright holders, and contended that PVR Inox, having opted for damages, couldn’t search injunctive reduction.
One of many central considerations raised by PVR Inox’s counsel, Mr Dinyar Madon, was that every 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 straight countered Maddock’s declare that elevated safety considerations had necessitated the shift. The court docket 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 launch there.
Justice Arif S Physician remarked that the choice to scrap the theatrical launch was pushed purely by industrial calculations. The producers had seemingly concluded {that a} direct-to-OTT technique was extra helpful below the present circumstances. Nonetheless, the Court docket firmly held that this was not a sound foundation to stroll away from a binding settlement. The choose 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 comprise.
In distinction to Maddock Movies’ inaction, PVR Inox had fulfilled its a part of the cut price—blocking screens throughout India, selling the movie by way of social media, in-theatre standees, and video partitions, and initiating public ticket gross sales based mostly on the agreed launch date. The choose famous {that a} last-minute cancellation of this magnitude wouldn’t solely hurt the multiplex operator financially however might additionally harm its popularity and client belief.
Moreover, the court docket rejected the defence that PVR had forfeited its proper to an injunction by demanding damages. It held that below Part 42 of the Particular Aid Act, a plaintiff should still search injunctive reduction regardless of having sought compensation in parallel. The court docket additionally denied the copyright holder’s argument that possession allowed them to unilaterally select the discharge platform, stating it couldn’t override a concluded contractual settlement.
The matter is now listed for additional listening to on June 16, 2025. Till then, Bhool Chuk Maaf can’t be launched on OTT or every other non-theatrical platform in India.
Additionally Learn: Dinesh Vijan speaks out on Bhool Chuk Maaf direct to launch on Amazon Prime amid political tensions: “It’s pure to marvel how it will influence the movie”
Extra Pages: Bhool Chuk Maaf Field Workplace Assortment
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