The wait is almost over for Akshay Kumar fans. His new film Bhooth Bangla will hit cinemas this evening. The preview shows begin at 9 PM today. Early reviews are already coming in. And the news is good. Critics are calling the film a “well-crafted entertainer”.
This film is special for another reason. It marks the reunion of Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan. They worked together on many hit films in the past. Films like Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Garam Masala are classics. But they have not worked together for over a decade. Fans have been waiting a long time for this reunion.
What is Bhooth Bangla About?
Bhooth Bangla is a horror comedy. It blends spooky thrills with humor. The story takes place in a haunted mansion. There are quirky characters and funny situations. Akshay Kumar plays the lead role. The film also has a very strong supporting cast.
The cast includes Tabu, Paresh Rawal, and Rajpal Yadav. These actors are known for their comedy timing. Wamiqa Gabbi and Mithila Palkar are also part of the film. Jisshu Sengupta and veteran actor Asrani play important roles. With such a talented team, expectations are very high.
Early Reviews Are Positive
The early reviews are now out. Critics are praising the film. They say it is a well-crafted entertainer. The horror and comedy are balanced well. Priyadarshan’s signature style is visible throughout. Fans of his old films will be very happy.
The film has received a U/A 16+ certification from the CBFC. That means it is suitable for viewers above 16 years. Some scenes may be too intense for younger children. The runtime is 164.52 minutes. That is almost two hours and forty-five minutes. It is a long film, but early reviews say it does not feel slow.
Box Office Advance Booking
Bhooth Bangla has shown promising early trends at the box office. Trade tracker Sacnilk has reported the numbers. By Thursday afternoon, the film sold over 46,000 tickets. These tickets were sold across more than 7,000 shows. The collection from these tickets is around Rs 1.28 crore gross. This number does not include block seats.
When block bookings are included, the number rises to approximately Rs 3.52 crore. This is a decent start. The film is picking up momentum. With positive reviews, the weekend numbers could be much higher.
A Tough Competition
Bhooth Bangla is releasing in a busy time. Another big film is already running in theatres. It is Dhurandhar: The Revenge, starring Ranveer Singh. That film is in its fourth week. But it is still performing strongly. It is not slowing down.
Because of this, exhibitors are reworking screen allocations. They have to decide how many shows to give to Bhooth Bangla and how many to keep for Dhurandhar. This is a good problem for cinema owners. Two big films means more audience coming to theatres.
The Release Date Change
Bhooth Bangla was initially supposed to release on April 10. But the makers pushed it by a week. Now the paid previews begin on April 16. This is a common strategy. Preview shows help build word-of-mouth. If the audience likes the film, they tell their friends. Then the first weekend becomes very strong.
Behind the Film
Bhooth Bangla is produced by Balaji Motion Pictures. It is in association with Cape of Good Films. The producers are Akshay Kumar himself, along with Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor. This is a strong production team. They have made many successful films before.
What Fans Are Saying
Fans are very excited on social media. After watching multiple promos, they are eager to see the full film. Many are calling it a “classic Priyadarshan-style entertainer”. They are hoping it will bring back the magic of old hits like Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
Some fans have already booked tickets for the 9 PM preview shows. They cannot wait to share their reactions online. The first audience reviews will start coming in late tonight.
