MUMBAI: The Bombay high court has thrown a wrench into Maddock Films’ plan to skip the cinemas and take Bhool Chuk Maaf straight to Amazon Prime Video. In a dramatic turn, the court issued an interim stay on the film’s OTT release, siding with PVR Inox in a fierce Rs 60 crore legal battle.

The courtroom clash erupted after Maddock Films, citing “heightened security drills across the nation” amid an India-Pakistan conflict, decided to ditch the planned 9 May theatrical release and launch the Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi starrer directly online on 16 May. But PVR Inox, which had already geared up for the theatrical launch, wasn’t having it.

PVR Inox’s counsel, Dinyar Madon, told the court that Dinesh Vijan's Maddock had breached a 6 May contract that locked the film into an eight-week theatrical run before any streaming release. “The producers pulled the plug on the deal just a day before the release,” he argued. The multiplex giant demanded Rs 60 crore in damages.

Maddock’s defence, led by Venkatesh Dhond, tried to wriggle out, claiming the eight-week clause only mattered if the film actually released in cinemas. But justice Arif Doctor wasn’t convinced. He pointed out that PVR Inox had already reserved screens, promoted the film, and sold tickets. Cancelling at the last minute, he said, would damage the multiplex chain’s reputation and goodwill.

The showdown is far from over. Maddock Films must now file a response before the next hearing on 16 June.
 
In the meantime, Bhool Chuk Maaf is stuck in limbo — a family entertainer without a family to watch it.