Bhooth Bangla, a recent horror-comedy film, marks a much-anticipated reunion of Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan after a decade. Released on April 17, the film has been met with mixed to positive reviews, piquing the curiosity of fans regarding the duo’s ability to recapture past success on screen.
According to the latest reports, Bhooth Bangla has made a strong start at the box office, collecting ₹12.25 crore on its opening day, with 1.3 lakh tickets sold. This figure includes ₹3.32 crore from gross domestic advance bookings on the first day, in addition to ₹3.50 crore from paid previews. This impressive start sets the stage for the film’s performance in the coming days.
Total gross earnings for Bhooth Bangla now stand at ₹18.90 crore in India, translating to a net collection of ₹15.75 crore. In a significant achievement, the film has outperformed the opening day box office of Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which opened at ₹14.50 crore.
In the genre of horror-comedies, Bhooth Bangla faces hefty competition. It must now surpass the opening day records of successful films like Stree 2, which garnered ₹55 crore, and Thamma with ₹24 crore, both produced under the Maddock Films banner.
Directed by Priyadarshan, Bhooth Bangla reunites him with Akshay Kumar, showcasing their collaborative history that includes hits like Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa among others. The cast is rounded out with notable performances from Wamiqa Gabbi, Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, and Jisshu Sengupta. The film is produced under Balaji Motion Pictures, in collaboration with Cape of Good Films.
Earlier amidst speculation regarding similarities to a song in Satyajit Ray’s 1969 film, Priyadarshan clarified that the lyrics were independently crafted and asserted the originality of the film’s concept. He also noted the historical significance of the title, which connects to past works in the genre.
A review from HT highlighted the film’s nostalgic first half, emphasizing familiar elements characteristic of Priyadarshan’s work. The imagery, guided by Divakar Mani’s cinematography, effectively captures quaint locations, reminiscent of Bhool Bhulaiyaa. With well-executed visual effects, Bhooth Bangla strives to balance humor and scares, inviting audiences into a classic yet refreshed cinematic experience.