Karan Sharma’s directorial debut, Bhool Chuk Maaf, starring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi, is defying expectations at the domestic box office. Despite a mixed critical reception and an unusually short theatrical window, the romantic comedy is enjoying a steady rise in earnings. After opening to Rs 7 crore on Friday, the film saw a bump over the weekend—collecting Rs 9.5 crore on Saturday and peaking at Rs 11.25 crore on Sunday. This brings its total opening weekend collection to Rs 27.75 crore.
Surpassing Expectations and Competitors
The film’s performance places it ahead of recent Bollywood releases. It has already overtaken the total domestic earnings of Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency (Rs 20.48 crore) and the opening weekend tally of John Abraham’s The Diplomat (Rs 13.30 crore). If the film maintains its current pace, it’s expected to cross the Rs 30 crore mark by Monday, passing the crucial weekday test.
Audience Engagement and Regional Trends
Bhool Chuk Maaf saw its highest occupancy during Sunday evening shows at 43.96%, followed by afternoon shows at 35.51%. Interestingly, Chennai led regional occupancy rates with a striking 86%, followed by Jaipur (38.75%), Bengaluru (37.25%), NCR (33.25%), and Lucknow (33%). This suggests a positive word-of-mouth response despite initial skepticism around the film’s appeal.
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Streaming Strategy Sparks Controversy
The film’s strong box office performance is even more surprising given its limited theatrical window. Bhool Chuk Maaf is set to stream on Prime Video India starting June 6, just two weeks after its release. This decision led to a legal spat between the film’s producers and multiplex chain PVR INOX, which took the matter to the Bombay High Court.
PVR Inox claims a breach of agreement by Maddock Films, arguing that the OTT release violated a contract ensuring an eight-week exclusive theatrical run. The producers terminated the agreement on May 8—just one day before release—citing heightened national security concerns after Operation Sindoor.
Declared a “Genuine Hit” Despite the Odds
Despite the controversy and skepticism, industry insiders are celebrating the film’s success. Kamal Gianchandani of PVR INOX called Bhool Chuk Maaf a “genuine hit,” saying, “May has revived theatres… the big screens are booming.” With this unexpected triumph, the film marks a bright spot in an otherwise uncertain season for Bollywood.
