Dinesh Vijan’s Bhool Chuk Maaf will finally release in cinemas before being streamed on OTT. The new release date is 23rd May. An announcement to this effect was jointly made by PVR Inox and producer Vijan earlier today.
For those who came in late, it may be mentioned here that the Bombay high court held Dinesh Vijan guilty of non-performance of contract when he announced on May 8 (a day before the scheduled date of release of the film) that he would bring the film directly on OTT in view of the tension-ridden situation in the country in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. PVR Inox had lost no time in dragging Vijan to court for reneging on his contract with the national multiplex chain at the eleventh hour as the film was slated for release on 9th May. The court ruled in favour of PVR Inox and granted its prayer for specific performance of contract. It ordered Vijan to release the film in theatres before streaming it on OTT (Amazon Prime).
Dinesh Vijan went in appeal against the court order. The appeal court asked the two parties to fine a via media or a midway solution — and that’s how it was decided to release the film in cinemas next week. The solution also allows Vijan to stream his film on OTT after just two weeks instead of the usual eight weeks. Insiders claim that PVR Inox is in the process of finalising the new revenue sharing terms with Vijan for allowing him the liberty to bring the film on the digital platform six weeks in advance. Obviously, the exhibitors will not be in a mood to share the theatrical revenue of the two weeks in the usual ratio because the circumstances are unusual.
