Akshay Kumar is set to return to the horror comedy genre with Bhooth Bangla, marking his much-awaited reunion with director Priyadarshan. The makers have officially announced that the film will release in cinemas on May 15, 2026, a slight shift from earlier reports that suggested an April release.
Balaji Motion Pictures shared the announcement on Instagram late Wednesday night, unveiling a new poster featuring Akshay Kumar. Accompanying the poster, the production house wrote, “Bangle se ek khabar aayi hai! The doors open on 15th May 2026. See you in cinemas.”
While no official reason has been cited for the delay, the change in release date has sparked speculation online. Several users on social media and Reddit believe the move could be strategic, aimed at avoiding the box office wave expected to be created by Dhurandhar 2, which is scheduled to release in March.
The first Dhurandhar, released on December 5, enjoyed a long and successful theatrical run, continuing to earn over ₹10 crore per day even in its fourth week. With its sequel expected to perform even bigger, many filmmakers are reportedly cautious about releasing films in the weeks immediately following it. Reacting to Bhooth Bangla’s May release, one Reddit user called it a “sensible decision,” while another noted that the buzz around Dhurandhar 2 is likely to last for weeks.
Directed by Priyadarshan, Bhooth Bangla reunites the filmmaker with Akshay Kumar after 15 years. The duo is best known for delivering iconic comedies in the past, and fans have been eagerly awaiting their return to the genre. The film’s shooting wrapped up in May last year, which Akshay confirmed by sharing a behind-the-scenes video from the sets.
The film boasts a strong ensemble cast including Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Jisshu Sengupta, Asrani, Wamiqa Gabbi, and others. Bhooth Bangla was shot across locations in Rajasthan, Jaipur, and Hyderabad, and is slated to be one of the major theatrical releases of summer 2026.