Dhurandhar 2 The Revenge is creating a huge storm at the box office, and its strong run is now becoming a big concern for Akshay Kumar’s upcoming film Bhooth Bangla. The Ranveer Singh starrer, released on March 19(yesterday) and has taken a record-breaking opening. Now, it is expected to dominate theatres for many weeks. Trade experts believe the horror-comedy may face serious trouble if the release date is not changed.
The sequel to the 2025 action drama has reportedly earned more than Rs 72 crore in Hindi on Day 1 alone, beating Shah Rukh Khan‘s Jawan to become the biggest opener in Hindi cinema. With paid previews included, the total has already crossed Rs 140 crore in India. The film is also expected to touch the Rs 200 crore mark by Day 2.
Because of this strong momentum, industry insiders feel that Bhooth Bangla, which is planned for an April release, could struggle to get enough screens and audience attention.
According to Rajasthan-based exhibitor Raj Bansal, postponing the film may be the safest option. He told Midday, “I am sure they will do it. The prices at which Dhurandhar 2 tickets are being sold. It will drain out the entertainment budget for a family [for that month]. There will be an immediate comparison with Dhurandhar 2.”
Dhurandhar 2 Box Office Impact — 7 Reasons Trade Is Worried About Bhooth Bangla
1. Family entertainment budgets already exhausted
Ticket prices for Dhurandhar 2 have gone up to Rs 1,750 in some cities. Experts say families may avoid another theatre visit in April after spending heavily on this film.
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2. Single-screen theatre lockdown fears
Reports say the makers of Dhurandhar 2 have locked single screens for up to six weeks. This could reduce screen count for Bhooth Bangla, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
3. Dhurandhar 2 wave may continue for weeks
Because of the historic opening, trade analysts believe the film will stay strong even in its fourth week. This may affect new releases.
4. Risk of unfair comparisons
Releasing right after a huge action film can hurt a comedy. Experts say audiences may compare scale, budget, and visuals.
5. IPL season clash
April already has heavy competition due to IPL. With a blockbuster still running, the market may feel crowded.
6. Aggressive screen demand by studio
There are reports that Jio Studios has asked for a long single-screen commitment, followed by another release ‘Raja Shivaji’ in May. This could leave very little space for other films.
7. Event-film fatigue among audiences
With a runtime close to four hours, Dhurandhar 2 is a very long film. Experts say viewers may take a break from theatres after such a big cinematic event.
Bhooth Bangla Release Plan Amid Dhurandhar 2’s BO Storm
Bhooth Bangla is a fantasy horror-comedy directed by Priyadarshan. The film marks his reunion with Akshay Kumar after 14 years. Their last film together was Khatta Meetha (2010).
The story is said to be inspired by Indian mythology, black magic, and ancient texts like the Vedas and the Mahabharata. The film also stars Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav and Asrani. It is currently scheduled to be released in April.
Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2 continues its box office craze. The film has already crossed Rs 140 crore in India on Day 1, including paid previews, and trade reports say it may cross Rs 200 crore on Day 2. With such numbers, the big question in the industry is whether Bhooth Bangla will keep its release date or move to avoid the Dhurandhar 2 storm.
