The Akshay Kumar-Priyadarshan magic has cast a spell on the box office as their latest collaboration, Bhooth Bangla, recorded a strong opening day.
On Friday, April 17, 2026, the horror-comedy minted ₹12.25 crore in India, bringing its total domestic net collection to ₹15.75 crore (including ₹3.5 crore from Thursday’s paid previews). The film’s global performance was even more impressive, as it raked in ₹23.90 crore worldwide, successfully surpassing the day-one global numbers of Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2.
Marking the iconic duo’s reunion after 14 years, the film saw an upward trend in occupancy throughout the day, peaking at over 31% during night shows.
Fans have particularly praised the nostalgic chemistry of the ensemble cast, with veteran comedians Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, and Asrani delivering vintage laughs that anchored a “hilarious” first half. Overseas markets contributed a healthy ₹5 crore to the total gross, indicating that the Akshay-Priyadarshan brand remains a powerful draw for the international Indian diaspora.
Despite the commercial success, audience and critic reviews remain polarized. While the first half has been hailed as a comedic masterpiece, the second half and climax have been described by many as “dull” and lacking in genuine scares. The film’s U/A 16+ certification and recent CBFC interventions—which saw several “obscene” words replaced—don’t seem to have dampened the spirits of “Akkians.” Many viewers are viewing the film as a solid “weekend time-pass” watch that prioritizes slapstick humor over traditional horror.