The much-anticipated reunion of Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan, Bhooth Bangla, has seen a shift in its theatrical release schedule. Originally slated to arrive on April 10, producer Ektaa Kapoor officially announced on Thursday that the horror-comedy will now premiere on April 16, 2026.
The decision comes as a strategic move to accommodate the massive box office momentum of the Ranveer Singh-starrer, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which continues to dominate screens across the country.
According to the official statement released by the makers, the postponement followed extensive discussions with distributors and exhibitors. The team noted that the exceptional performance of Dhurandhar 2 is a heartening sign for the industry, and shifting the date allows both high-profile films the necessary “space, focus, and attention” they deserve.
By moving to mid-April, the producers aim to ensure that Bhooth Bangla secures adequate screen count and maximizes its box office potential without directly cannibalizing the audience of the ongoing action epic.
Interestingly, the film will not have a traditional morning opening. The makers have opted for a ‘paid preview’ strategy, with the very first shows scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM on April 16. This rollout is designed to build localized word-of-mouth ahead of the full-scale weekend release. Akshay Kumar had previously commented on the competitive landscape, noting that a three-week gap between major releases is generally sufficient for the industry to breathe and for each film to find its own platform for success.
While Dhurandhar caters to a more mature audience with its gritty realism and intense action, Akshay Kumar emphasized that Bhooth Bangla is crafted as a quintessential family entertainer. The film boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Paresh Rawal, Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi, Rajpal Yadav, Mithila Palkar, Jisshu Sengupta, and Manoj Joshi. With Priyadarshan at the helm, the trade expects the film to revive the classic era of Bollywood horror-comedies that the duo is famous for.