The film Bhooth Bangla marks Akshay Kumar’s return to the horror comedy genre. It also brings him back together with director Priyadarshan after almost 14 years. The film released in theatres on April 17, following paid previews on April 16.
At the box office, the film has taken a strong start. On its first day, it collected ₹21.60 crore in India. This opening figure places it among the better openings for the actor in recent times. The film has managed to attract a large number of viewers, even though it has received mixed reactions from critics.
Audience response appears to be more positive, which has helped the film perform well. Word of mouth has played an important role in bringing people to theatres. The opening numbers also show that the film has done better than some of Akshay Kumar’s recent releases.
At the same time, the film is facing competition from Dhurandhar The Revenge starring Ranveer Singh, which has been running in cinemas and drawing audiences. However, reports suggest that Dhurandhar saw a drop in collections on April 17, while Bhooth Bangla maintained a steady start. It remains to be seen how both films perform in the coming days.
Bhooth Bangla also features a supporting cast that includes Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi, Rajpal Yadav, Paresh Rawal, and Asrani.
A review of the film noted, “In flashes, Bhooth Bangla taps into a certain nostalgic absurdity, particularly in its more playful, slapstick stretches. It also has a Bhool Bhulaiyaa hangover. There’s an Aami Je Tomar-esque song capturing classical love. The interval block of Bhooth Bangla will remind you of a brand of comedy Bollywood once thrived on, but if you overstay, you’ll realise that much like yourself, the film is also struggling to not zone off.”
Overall, the film has opened well and will depend on continued audience interest to maintain its performance in the coming days.