May 22, 2025: Rajkummar Rao is all set to tickle the funny bone again with his latest film Bhool Chuk Maaf, co-starring Wamiqa Gabbi. While the trailer has garnered positive reactions, the film’s journey to the big screen has been anything but smooth. After a back-and-forth battle over its release format, the Bombay High Court has officially cleared the decks for a theatrical release on May 23, 2025, resolving the dispute between Maddock Films and PVR INOX.
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However, the controversy has taken a toll on the film’s pre-release buzz. With uncertainty over whether it would drop directly on OTT or get a theatrical window, audiences have been left confused. Despite a flurry of promotions after the legal resolution, Bhool Chuk Maaf still appears to be suffering from low on-ground hype.
Opening Day Projections: A Worry for Team Bhool Chuk Maaf
Industry insiders are skeptical about the film’s box office performance, with early projections indicating it may struggle to cross the ₹5 crore mark on its opening day. If that turns out to be true, it would mark a significant dip in momentum for Rajkummar Rao, who has been on a roll with his last few releases.
In just the past 133 days, Rao has delivered three of his top five biggest openers:
- Stree 2 – ₹64.80 crore
- Mr & Mrs Mahi – ₹6.85 crore
- Stree – ₹6.83 crore
- Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video – ₹5.71 crore
- Judgementall Hai Kya – ₹5.40 crore
To make it to that elite list, Bhool Chuk Maaf would need to open at ₹5.40 crore or more — a target that currently seems optimistic at best.
About the Film
Bhool Chuk Maaf marks the Indian theatrical debut of Amazon MGM Studios, and is both written and directed by Karan Sharma. Backed by a strong supporting cast including Seema Pahwa, Sanjay Mishra, Zakir Hussain, Raghubir Yadav, and Ishtiyak Khan, the film is positioned as a sci-fi romantic comedy — a rare genre blend in mainstream Hindi cinema.
Despite the rocky road to its release, expectations remain high from Rao, who’s known for blending offbeat scripts with mass appeal. Whether Bhool Chuk Maaf continues his box office hot streak or marks a pause remains to be seen when the numbers roll in after its May 23 release.