The industry received a shock last month when PVR Inox halted advance reservations for the eagerly anticipated Jolly LLB 3 (starring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi) because to Star Studio18’s refusal to pay VPF. Two times, the progress was stopped, the first just twelve hours before the first show started.
The studio reportedly paid VPF, but they made it apparent that they were doing it in protest and that they would carry on their conversation about the matter. Over a month later, Single Salma is the reason of the VPF’s latest rift.
According to Bollywood Hungama, “Star Studio18 is also responsible for Single Salma, and they have once again asked PVR Inox and Cinepolis for a VPF waiver.” The request was not followed, though. Discussions are ongoing. If a solution cannot be reached, Single Salma will only be released in the nation’s foreign theaters.
Trade sources predict that Single Salma will be released on about 200 theaters. Huma Qureshi plays the lead in the movie and, incidentally, appeared in Jolly LLB 3. Sunny Singh and Shreyas Talpade are also in Single Salma.
Bollywood Hungama had previously stated that Viacom18 and PVR Inox had reached a deal whereby VPF would only be paid till 2024. Given that Jolly LLB 3 won’t be available until 2025, they felt justified in requesting a waiver. However, PVR Inox countered that the contract states that the studio will cease to pay VPF, provided that other production companies follow suit. They insisted that Viacom18 pay VPF diligently, since other producers are still doing so this year.
Due to claims that PVR INOX Limited was abusing its dominant position by continuing to impose VPF on film creators, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) ordered an investigation into the company on September 30, 2025. According to this ruling, PVR Inox inked a deal with Yash Raj Films and Star Studio18 (also known as Viacom18) that contained “sunset clauses,” or commitments to scale off VPF payments by December 2024.
PVR responded by informing the CCI that the sunset provisions for Viacom and YRF had not yet been put into effect and were still being renegotiated. According to the statement, Yash Raj and Viacom can only take advantage of sunset clauses if they cease paying VPF to other exhibitors and DCE suppliers.