Rajkumar Rao and Vamiqa Gabbi’s film “Bhool Chuk Maaf” was supposed to hit theaters on May 9. However, the makers pulled the plug just a day before its release. The film will now premiere on OTT on May 16. What does this mean for the box office?
The Biggest Losers: Theater Owners
The sudden change in plans has left theater owners in a tough spot. According to Akshay Rathi, a distributor and exhibitor, theater owners plan their schedules around upcoming films. They decide on show timings, staffing, and screen allocation well in advance. When a film is pulled at the last minute, it disrupts their entire schedule.
Akshay Rathi shared his thoughts on the situation. “Theater owners are the ones who suffer the most in such cases. They have already made arrangements for the film, and now they are left with empty screens.”
A Loss of ₹50-55 Crore
Akshay Rathi estimates that “Bhool Chuk Maaf” could have easily raked up ₹50-55 crore at the box office if it had been released on May 9. This is a significant loss for the industry, especially when every film’s performance matters.
No Compensation for Theater Owners
When asked if theater owners receive compensation when a film is pulled at the last minute, Akshay Rathi said, “No, there’s no such provision. The matter is usually dropped, and no one compensates anyone for the loss.” However, he expressed his trust in the makers of “Bhool Chuk Maaf,” saying that they will release their future films in theaters properly.
A Strategic Decision?
Akshay Rathi believes that the decision to pull “Bhool Chuk Maaf” was likely made after considering the current situation. “Every producer makes their own decisions. Madock and Amazon must have done what they thought was right. The current situation, especially the events unfolding at the border, might have influenced their decision.”
Keeping Theaters Open
When asked if it’s right to postpone film releases due to the current situation, Akshay Rathi said, “The biggest response should be that we don’t get intimidated. We should continue with our work. The country shouldn’t come to a standstill. That’s the answer to those who want us to stop working out of fear.”