**Multiplexes Resume Bookings for ‘Jolly LLB 3’; Here’s What Happened**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | Sep 19, 2025, 01:30 PM*
The much-anticipated release of *Jolly LLB 3* faced a significant hurdle when leading multiplex chains PVR and Inox halted the advance booking of shows due to disagreements over the Virtual Print Fee (VPF). Bookings were first stopped on Wednesday evening, briefly resumed on Thursday morning without resolving the issue, and then suspended again on Thursday evening — just hours before the film’s premiere.
The dispute grew notable enough to attract the involvement of superstar Akshay Kumar, highlighting the intensity of the conflict surrounding this release.
### What Led to the Booking Suspension?
The root of the problem lies in the Virtual Print Fee (VPF), a charge imposed by major multiplex chains on producers or distributors to help cover the costs associated with upgrading cinema technology. This fee typically averages around ₹20,000 per screen. While smaller cinema chains and non-2K theaters collect the fee through digital service providers such as UFO, Scrabble, and Qube, major multiplexes like PVR and Inox directly impose the fee on filmmakers.
The *Jolly LLB 3* team challenged this fee, arguing that as a 2025 release, they should be exempted from the ongoing charges.
### Payment Agreement Reached Under Protest
Fearing that the prolonged halt in bookings would severely impact the film’s first-day collections, the producers of *Jolly LLB 3* decided to agree to pay the VPF. However, they made it clear that this payment was made under protest, and discussions around the legitimacy and fairness of the fee would continue.
A multiplex official confirmed that the issue was finally resolved around midnight, and advance bookings resumed, ensuring a smooth release of the film across India.
### Understanding Virtual Print Fee (VPF)
VPF is a recurring point of contention in the Hindi film industry. It is intended to offset the cost multiplexes incur for switching from traditional film prints to digital projection technology. Despite being a standard practice, many producers feel that the fee should not be charged indefinitely.
### The Ongoing Battle Over VPF
The VPF dispute is not new. Back in 2019, producer Ronnie Screwvala took major multiplex chains including PVR, Inox, Cinepolis, and Carnival Cinemas to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) over the fee. However, the CCI ruled in favor of the multiplexes.
Despite this, producers continue to argue that the VPF was meant to be a temporary charge and are pushing for its discontinuation or waiver for newer releases.
### *Jolly LLB 3* is Now in Theaters
Following the resolution, *Jolly LLB 3* has hit theaters nationwide. The film’s release was closely watched, not only for its content but for the implications this dispute has on the film distribution and exhibition ecosystem in India.
Stay tuned for more updates and box office reports on *Jolly LLB 3*.
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