New Delhi: Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi’s latest film Bhool Chuk Maaf will no longer be released in theatres. The movie, set to hit the big screens across the country on 9 May, will now release only on Amazon Prime Video. The makers of the film made this announcement a day after India hit terror camps in Pakistan in response to the 22 April Pahalgam attack.
“While we were eagerly looking forward to celebrating this film with you in theaters, the spirit of the nation comes first. JAI HIND!” read the announcement.
Maddock Films, the production house backing Bhool Chuk Maaf, took to their official social media handles to announce that a direct-to-OTT premiere has been set up for 16 May instead of a theatrical release.
The makers had been doing promotional activities and press conferences across major Indian cities for the film, with their latest stop in Delhi on 5 May.
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Mixed reactions
There were mixed reactions to the announcements. While some lauded the makers for upholding the spirit of the nation, others called it a strategy.
“Just say your film sucks and it won’t earn a penny. Don’t give excuses on such sensitive matters! Saw the trailer that day in a theatre, it’s beyond terrible,” wrote a person on Instagram.
“Jai Hind…true Indian spirit by the excellent team,” another said, acknowledging the makers’ sentiments. Others, meanwhile, noted that the poor pre-sales box office collection of the film might have caused the makers to skip the theatrical release.
The announcement, which came a day ahead of the film’s release, followed Operation Sindoor, carried out by the Indian Armed Forces on 7 May. The escalating tensions between India and Pakistan also prompted the makers to cancel press shows scheduled in Mumbai and Delhi on 8 May.
Bhool Chuk Maaf is directed by Karan Sharma and also stars Seema Pahwa, Sanjay Mishra. and Raghubir Yadav. The film is about Ranjan, a man eagerly awaiting his wedding day with his girlfriend, Titli. But, he gets stuck in a time loop where he wakes up every day to find it is his haldi ceremony.
Maddock’s last release, Chhaava, about the Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji, had made over Rs 600 crore at the box office.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)