Amid India-Pak tensions, Bhool Chuk Maaf skips cinemas, Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi-starrer to drop on Prime Video

If you were planning your popcorn run for Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi¡¯s comedy Bhool Chuk Maaf, pause that plan. The film has pulled a full 180 and is now skipping theatres entirely. Why? Because real-life tension, aka India vs Pakistan, just took centre stage.

Bhook Chuk Maaf OTT release: Rajkummar Rao's film releasing on Prime on May 16

Yep, the film, backed by Maddock Films and Amazon MGM Studios, was all set to drop in cinemas on 9 May. But thanks to the high-stakes aftermath of Operation Sindoor, which followed the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, the makers have decided to take the OTT route instead. The new release date? 16 May, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

In a statement that screamed ¡°nation first, Netflix later,¡± the makers said they were ¡°eager¡± to bring the film to theatres but chose otherwise due to ¡°heightened security drills across the nation.¡± Honestly, respect.

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Rajkummar Rao, never one to shy away from real talk, also opened up about the national mood in a recent interview. He shared that if he were not an actor, he would have chosen to serve in the armed forces. Standing in solidarity with the government¡¯s decisions, Rajkummar added that the tragic loss of lives in Pahalgam made the entire nation both ¡°angry and sad.¡± And yes, he is backing Operation Sindoor all the way.

Rajkummar Rao's Instagram story | Credit: X

India Vs Pakistan: Operation Sindoor

But wait, what is Operation Sindoor and why did it throw Bollywood off its schedule?

Launched at 1:44 a.m. on 7 May 2025, Operation Sindoor was India¡¯s calculated, no-nonsense answer to the terror attacks that shook Pahalgam in April. The Indian Armed Forces struck nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, reportedly eliminating 17 terrorists and injuring over 60 others. And before you ask, no, they did not target any Pakistani military facilities. This was surgical, smart, and symbolic.

So while Bhool Chuk Maaf will no longer light up the big screen, it is bringing the laughs straight to your living room, because even in war times, India needs its dose of drama. And what better than a Rao-powered comedy to lighten the national mood?