EXCLUSIVE: Bombay High Court restrains OTT release | Indian Movie News
In a important interim ruling, the Bombay High Court on May 9, 2025, granted ad-interim aid to PVR Inox Limited, restraining Maddock Films and its associates from releasing the movie Bhool Chuk Maaf on any platform—including OTT—until the expiry of an 8-week holdback period following its first theatrical release in India. The verdict got here after PVR Inox moved the court urgently, following Maddock Films’ sudden revocation of their settlement just a day before the movie’s scheduled theatrical release on May 9.
The core dispute arose when Maddock Films, citing issues over heightened national security, cancelled the theatrical launch and opted for a direct OTT release on May 16 through a platform owned by one of the defendants (Amazon Prime Video). However, PVR Inox argued that this was a clear breach of their binding settlement signed on May 6, 2025, which mandated not only a theatrical release but also an 8-week exclusivity window before any digital premiere.
Maddock Films argued that the clause requiring an 8-week theatrical holdback only utilized if the movie was launched in cinemas (which they opted not to do due to heightened national security issues), claimed they’d the correct to select the release platform as copyright holders, and contended that PVR Inox, having opted for damages, couldn’t search injunctive aid.
One of the central issues raised by PVR Inox’s counsel, Mr Dinyar Madon, was that all 31 PVR theatres in New Delhi — where the movie was scheduled to be launched — had been totally operational, had commenced promotional exercise weeks in advance, and had also registered important advance bookings. This instantly countered Maddock’s declare that elevated security issues had necessitated the shift. The court took observe that Maddock didn’t produce any official authorities round or notification supporting the choice, and clarified that the only cinema closure cited—one in Jodhpur—was irrelevant as the movie was never 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 strategy was more useful under the present circumstances. However, the Court firmly held that this was not a legitimate 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 in the absence of a power majeure clause, which the settlement in query didn’t comprise.
In distinction to Maddock Films’ inaction, PVR Inox had fulfilled its half of the discount—blocking screens across India, selling the movie via social media, in-theatre standees, and video partitions, and initiating public ticket gross sales primarily based on the agreed release date. The choose famous that a last-minute cancellation of this magnitude wouldn’t only hurt the multiplex operator financially but might also harm its popularity and client trust.
Furthermore, the court rejected the defence that PVR had forfeited its proper to an injunction by demanding damages. It held that under Section 42 of the Specific Relief Act, a plaintiff could still search injunctive aid despite having sought compensation in parallel. The court also 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 listening to on June 16, 2025. Until then, Bhool Chuk Maaf can’t be launched on OTT or any different 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”
EXCLUSIVE: Bombay High Court restrains OTT release | Watch Online Free
Stay in the know with the newest trending topics! Visit our web site each day for the freshest movie information and content material, expertly curated to keep you entertained and knowledgeable.
