The much-anticipated reunion of the iconic Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan is finally hitting the silver screen. As Bhooth Bangla gears up for its release on April 17, 2026, the initial advance booking numbers suggest a promising start for the horror-comedy.
Advance Booking & Paid Previews
Excitement is reaching a fever pitch with paid previews scheduled to begin tonight, April 16, at 9:00 PM. According to trade tracker Sacnilk, the film has already sold over 36,000 tickets for its opening day.
- Pre-release Sales (without block seats): ₹97.93 Lakh
- Total Collection (with block seats): ₹2.65 Crore
- Opening Day Expectation: Industry experts are eyeing a double-digit opening. For the film to be considered a strong contender, it needs to cross the ₹10 Crore mark on Friday.
Budget and Stakes
Mounted on an estimated budget of ₹100–120 Crore, Bhooth Bangla is a high-stakes project for Akshay Kumar. Following a string of underwhelming box office performances, fans are pinning their hopes on this collaboration—responsible for classics like Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa—to deliver a much-needed blockbuster.
The film boasts a lengthy runtime of approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, promising a detailed blend of spookiness and the signature Priyadarshan situational comedy.
Early Critical Reception
While the film officially opens tomorrow, “first reviews” have already begun trickling in. Early reactions describe the movie as a “well-crafted entertainer,” praising the chemistry between the lead cast, which includes the powerhouse Tabu.
The film faces the challenge of sustaining momentum through the weekend to recover its significant production costs, but the nostalgia factor of the actor-director duo is currently driving the buzz.