REVEALED: YRF’s Saiyaara and War 2 could have been released VPF-free! CCI order reveals ASTONISHING clause in PVR INOX deals

A controversy erupted recently when the makers of Jolly LLB 3 refused to pay Virtual Print Fee (VPF). It led to PVR Inox discontinuing the advance booking of the Akshay Kumar-Arshad Warsi starrer, sending shockwaves in the industry. The makers ultimately made the payment but they made it clear that they are paying it under protest. Two weeks later, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), on September 30, 2025 directed an investigation against PVR INOX Limited over allegations of abusing its dominant position by continuing to levy the Virtual Print Fee (VPF) on film producers. This effectively meant that these two influential studios would no longer be burdened with VPF charges, while hundreds of small and medium producers continued to pay the fee for every film released across PVR screens. Producers’ Guild argued that this practice was blatantly discriminatory, creating a two-tier system in which only a select few benefited, leaving the rest of the industry disadvantaged. In its rejoinder, Producers’ Guild stressed that such deals highlighted how PVR was using its dominant market position to favour powerful production houses while denying similar concessions to others. This, it argued, directly contravened provisions of the Competition Act, which prohibits enterprises from imposing unfair and discriminatory conditions. PVR, however, defended its conduct. It further claimed that these concessions were offered only because competing exhibitors such as Cinepolis were in talks with the same studios. As a result, PVR risked losing their films if it did not match those terms. As such, PVR argued that it was acting to “meet the competition”, which under the Act cannot be treated as discriminatory. The CCI’s findings have sent ripples across the film trade. Interestingly, had those agreements been implemented, YRF’s 2025 releases, Saiyaara and War 2, could have enjoyed VPF-free releases, unlike most Indian films that continue to bear the cost. Calling for a level playing field in film exhibition, the CCI has now ordered a full-fledged investigation by its Director General into PVR INOX’s conduct, a move that has once again reignited the industry-wide debate on fairness and transparency in the Virtual Print Fee system. Also Read: Saiyaara star Ahaan Panday lights up a Mumbai classroom with smiles, songs, and dreams; see pics!.

admin October 28, 2025

A controversy erupted recently when the makers of **Jolly LLB 3** refused to pay the Virtual Print Fee (VPF). This led to PVR INOX discontinuing the advance booking of the Akshay Kumar-Arshad Warsi starrer, sending shockwaves throughout the industry. Although the makers ultimately made the payment, they made it clear that it was done under protest.

Two weeks later, on September 30, 2025, the **Competition Commission of India (CCI)** directed an investigation against PVR INOX Limited over allegations of abusing its dominant position by continuing to levy the VPF on film producers.

### Revealed: YRF’s Saiyaara and War 2 Could Have Been Released VPF-Free!

The investigation uncovered that two influential studios, including Yash Raj Films (YRF), had deals in place that would have allowed their releases—*Saiyaara* and *War 2*—to be exempt from VPF charges. This effectively meant that these studios would no longer be burdened with VPF fees, while hundreds of small and medium producers continued to pay for every film released across PVR screens.

The **Producers’ Guild** argued that this practice was blatantly discriminatory, creating a two-tier system where only a select few benefited, leaving the rest of the industry at a disadvantage. In its rejoinder, the Guild stressed that such deals underscored how PVR used its dominant market position to favour powerful production houses while denying similar concessions to others.

This, the Guild contended, directly violated provisions of the Competition Act, which prohibits enterprises from imposing unfair and discriminatory conditions.

### PVR’s Defense

PVR INOX, however, defended its conduct, claiming that these concessions were offered only because competing exhibitors like Cinepolis were in talks with the same studios. As a result, PVR risked losing the rights to screen those films if it did not match the competing terms.

PVR argued that it was acting to “meet the competition,” which, under the Competition Act, cannot be treated as discriminatory behaviour.

### Industry Impact and Ongoing Investigation

The CCI’s findings have sent ripples across the film trade. The fact that YRF’s 2025 releases *Saiyaara* and *War 2* could have enjoyed VPF-free releases—unlike most Indian films that continue to bear the cost—has intensified calls for fairness.

In light of these revelations, the CCI has ordered a full-fledged investigation by its Director General into PVR INOX’s conduct. This move has reignited an industry-wide debate on fairness and transparency in the Virtual Print Fee system.

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**Also Read:**
Saiyaara star Ahaan Panday lights up a Mumbai classroom with smiles, songs, and dreams; see pics!

**More Pages:**
– Saiyaara Box Office Collection
– Saiyaara Movie Review
– Bollywood News Live Updates
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