Bhool Chuk Maaf – A Time-Loop Comedy That Survived Scandal, Drama, and a Release Chaos Bigger Than the Film Itself

There are films that arrive quietly, films that arrive with hype, and then films that arrive with so much chaos that the promotions, postponements, lawsuits, and platform switches become a bigger spectacle than the film. Bhool Chuk Maaf belongs to the third category – and perhaps defines it. The most scandal-ridden Hindi movie of 2025 has finally released, and when I walked into the theatre today, I carried all the headlines and controversies in my head, wondering whether the movie could possibly live up to the absurd drama that surrounded it.

If you have somehow missed the circus around this film, let me assure you: the real-life twists of Bhool Chuk Maaf are so bizarre that even Bigg Boss would have politely taken a back seat. But let’s start with the film itself before diving into the off-screen madness, because at its heart, this is a time-loop romantic comedy-drama with an idea so unusual that it instantly grabs attention. And yet, by the time I walked out, I found myself thinking how a bold and original concept can still slip into familiar territory – and how that, perhaps, is the biggest “bhool chuk” of them all.

A Promising Concept Anchored in a Time Loop

The makers of Bhool Chuk Maaf, Maddock Films – a name you’ve definitely seen before in titles like Stree, Stree 2, Munjya, and Chaava – have been on a remarkable streak. In just one year, they’ve backed two major Hindi films that have dominated the conversation. So when they announced another Rajkummar Rao – led comedy, expectations naturally rose.

And then came the hook. The teaser and trailer made one thing very clear: we weren’t getting a regular rom-com. The premise itself felt refreshing, even daring. We see the hero and heroine meet, fight, fall in love, decide to marry, and somehow convince their respective families within the first 15 minutes – yes, that entire journey is wrapped up before you even get comfortable with your popcorn.

But there is a twist. A condition is placed before the wedding – one that wasn’t shown in the trailer and that I won’t reveal either, because no spoilers here. Let’s just say it’s a key element that transforms what could have been an ordinary love story into something far more intriguing.

What follows is the actual plot: A time loop. A single day – 29th – keeps repeating itself.

On the 29th, the hero gets haldi. On the 30th, he is supposed to get married.

But he never reaches the 30th.

He sleeps, wakes up, and finds himself back on the 29th again. The celebrations reset. The songs reset. The haldi is reapplied. And his life becomes a frustrating cycle where he’s stuck at the last step before marital bliss. The 30th refuses to arrive. Only the 29th exists.

It’s simultaneously funny and maddening – like having food right at your mouth but you’re never allowed to swallow. That sense of hovering, waiting, and being stuck becomes the emotional and comedic engine of the film.

As a concept, I found it wonderfully fresh. An Indian movie with a time-loop setup, wrapped inside a marriage story, is rare enough to spark genuine excitement. And in that first half-hour, Bhool Chuk Maaf absolutely feels like something new.

The Off-Screen Drama: A Time Loop of Its Own

Now, here’s where this film became a national headline- not for its story, but for its release.

The film was supposed to hit theatres on 9 May. Promotions were everywhere. Trailers, posters, banners – PVR, INOX, and multiplexes across India invested heavily to boost visibility. Advance bookings opened, tickets sold, and the excitement was building.

Then, one day before the release, the makers dropped a bombshell:
The release was cancelled.

Not postponed. Not rescheduled. Straight-up canceled.

They announced that due to the situation between India and Pakistan at the time, the theatrical release would no longer happen. Instead, the film would debut directly on Prime Video on 16 May, barely a week later – completely bypassing the usual two-month theatre-to-OTT window.

The reaction was a mixture of shock and confusion. The producers, of course, have the right to release wherever they want. But multiplex chains weren’t having it.

PVR and INOX filed a ₹60 crore lawsuit against the makers for damages, claiming massive promotional expenses incurred based on a release that never happened. This wasn’t gossip – this was officially reported and confirmed.

And then came the twist nobody predicted.

After being removed from theatres and added to OTT…
…the film was removed from OTT and put back in theatres again.

Yes, the movie itself was about a time loop, and its release journey became a real-life time loop of cancellations, re-cancellations, and platform switches. When I finally sat down to watch Bhool Chuk Maaf today, I couldn’t help but smile at the irony: the biggest time loop in this whole situation wasn’t happening on screen.

So, After All the Chaos… Is the Film Actually Worth Watching?

Let me answer this as simply and honestly as possible: Yes, but with conditions.

Bhool Chuk Maaf has a strong, genuinely unique concept. The time-loop setup works well, the central message is neatly explored, and the narrative remains engaging. But the execution falters in places where the film settles for being safe instead of daring, predictable instead of surprising.

Still, before I get into the drawbacks, let’s talk about what works.

Humor That Lands (Mostly), Driven by Strong Performances

I was skeptical about the comedy after watching the trailer, because some of the humor felt like slapstick overload – the kind that makes you grimace instead of laugh. There are poop jokes, and yes, at times the humor tends to cross over into “crash comedy,” the kind that feels too loud or unnecessary.

But surprisingly, the humor works around 50–60% of the time, and that’s almost entirely because of the actors.

Rajkummar Rao

When Rajkummar Rao is in form, he doesn’t need clever dialogues – his face becomes the comedy. I was reminded of the charm he brought in Bareilly Ki Barfi and the grounded humor of Stree. Here, he balances frustration, confusion, and innocence beautifully. Even when the script falters, his performance holds the film together.

Wamiqa

This was not the first time I saw Wamiqa on screen, but it was the first time she truly caught my attention. When compared to the current crop of mid-budget comedy heroines – Sara Ali Khan, Ananya Panday, and even Khushi Kapoor – Wamiqa feels far more natural and grounded. She’s expressive, restrained when needed, and convincingly real.

Raghubir Yadav – The Comedy MVP

Every time Raghubir Yadav appears, the scene lifts instantly. He does more with a few minutes of screen time than some actors do with an hour. His timing, his expressions, his charm – everything lands effortlessly. He reminds us once again why seasoned actors are irreplaceable, especially in comedy.

Genre Balance: A Rom-Com That’s More Sci-Fi Than Romance

Despite being marketed like a romantic comedy, the romance in Bhool Chuk Maaf is extremely light. It’s not a flaw – it’s just something you should be prepared for.

This is more of a sci-fi flavored comedy than a love story.

The emotional depth between the lead pair takes a backseat to the time-loop gimmick. And honestly, the film is better because of that. If it had leaned too heavily on romance, it would have ended up looking like yet another cookie-cutter rom-com. Instead, the storytelling stays focused on the central loop and the consequences around it.

The Music

The songs are decent overall, but that one item number? Completely unnecessary. It doesn’t add fun, it doesn’t add energy, and it doesn’t fit the film’s tone. It feels like a mandatory checkbox item, the kind producers add thinking it will “boost mass appeal.” Here, it does the opposite.

Where the Film Falters – Predictability and Lack of Impact

Given such a unique and intriguing concept, I truly expected Bhool Chuk Maaf to break the mold. But halfway through, I realized that despite the time-loop angle, the film still follows the same formula of what I call the “middle-class unique-problem social comedy” – a genre dominated by Rajkummar Rao and Ayushmann Khurrana films for years.

You know the template:

Normal life → big problem → confusion → interval → emotional second half → dramatic ending.

This film follows the same trajectory. So much so that if you pause it at the interval and predict the ending, you’ll be absolutely correct. The story becomes predictable, the emotional beats become familiar, and the climax doesn’t deliver a big turn.

Even within the genre, it doesn’t reach the highs of great comedies. There are no laugh-till-you-cry moments. No heartbreakingly emotional scenes. It’s simply… good enough.

Sometimes good enough is enough. But sometimes it feels like a missed opportunity.
Especially when the premise screams potential.

As a science-fiction fan, I walked out slightly disappointed. With a time-loop setup, the film could have done so much more – it could have explored deeper psychological layers, more emotional tension, more inventive twists. Instead, it plays safe.

The Biggest Viewing Dilemma – The Theatrical Release Isn’t Worth the Drama

If Bhool Chuk Maaf had released normally, I would have simply said:
“Yes, watch it once. It’s fun and different enough.”

But given the legal battle, the theatrical delays, and the fact that it might come to OTT in two or three weeks anyway, recommending a theatrical viewing becomes tricky.

If you want something light, enjoyable, simple, and family-friendly – with no awkward scenes – go for it. But if you’re patient, honestly, waiting for OTT feels like the better choice.

Final Verdict – Entertaining, Safe, and a Little Too Predictable

After everything the film went through, I genuinely hoped it would blow me away. Instead, Bhool Chuk Maaf settles into being a pleasant, easy, good-time watch – with a few standout moments, strong performances, and a concept that deserved more depth.

It’s not a bad film. It’s not a great film. It’s… time pass.
And sometimes, that’s all an audience needs.

Rating: 3/5

A unique idea wrapped inside a formula film – fun in parts, predictable overall, and held up by strong performances.