Rajkummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi’s ‘Bhool Chuk Maaf’ to skip theatres, head straight to OTT

Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi's film Bhool Chuk Maaf shifts to OTT due to national security concerns. Premieres May 16.

Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi’s upcoming film Bhool Chuk Maaf will no longer release in cinemas as planned. The makers have decided to forgo a theatrical debut and will instead premiere the film directly on Prime Video on May 16.

The shift in release strategy comes in response to the current tense geopolitical climate and heightened national security. Following the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 dead, and India’s subsequent military response, Operation Sindoor, the situation has prompted event cancellations and increased safety protocols across the country. The film’s press shows, scheduled for Delhi and Mumbai, have also been scrapped.

In an official statement, producers Maddock Films and Amazon MGM Studios said, “The spirit of the nation comes first,” emphasising that the decision to skip theatres was made in light of ongoing national concerns.

Bhool Chuk Maaf, directed by Karan Sharma, is a time-loop comedy set in Varanasi. Rajkummar Rao plays Ranjan, a groom stuck reliving the day of his Haldi ceremony over and over, with Wamiqa Gabbi playing his fiancée, Titli. The film also stars Seema Pahwa, Sanjay Mishra, and Raghubir Yadav. Originally slated to hit cinemas on May 9, the family entertainer will now be accessible to a wider global audience via OTT.

Bhool Chuk Maaf will be available to stream worldwide exclusively on Prime Video from May 16.