Akshay Kumar’s new film Bhooth Bangla is finally here. The paid previews started tonight at 9 PM. Fans have been waiting for this film for a long time. But early box office predictions are not very exciting. The film may struggle to earn Rs 5 crore from the paid preview shows.
According to an exclusive prediction, Bhooth Bangla is expected to have a slow start. Film business expert Rohit Jaiswal spoke to Filmibeat. He stated that the film will earn only Rs 2 to 3 crore from the paid previews. This is a lower number than what many expected.
What Are Paid Previews?
Paid previews are special shows held one night before the official release. Fans get to watch the film early. They pay for their tickets like a regular show. These previews help build word-of-mouth. If the film is good, people talk about it. Then the first weekend becomes stronger.
For Bhooth Bangla, the preview shows began at 9 PM on April 16. The official release is on April 17. The makers organized these previews to create buzz. But the prediction suggests the buzz may not be very high.
Advance Booking Numbers
The advance booking numbers tell a similar story. According to the report, Bhooth Bangla has earned Rs 2.38 crore from advance booking. This is from the sale of 94,810 tickets. These numbers do not include block seats.
When block seats are included, the collection rises to Rs 5.53 crore. Block seats are tickets bought in bulk. They are often booked by corporate groups or fan clubs. While this number is higher, it does not guarantee a strong opening. The real test is how many individual fans come to the theatres.
Why the Slow Start?
There could be a few reasons for the slow start. First, Bhooth Bangla is releasing on a Thursday night. Paid previews on a weekday are always risky. Many people have work the next day. They may choose to wait for the weekend.
Second, there is competition. Another big film, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, is still running strong in its fourth week. Exhibitors are sharing screens between the two films. That means fewer shows for Bhooth Bangla.
Third, Akshay Kumar’s recent box office record has been mixed. Some of his last few films did not perform well. Fans may be waiting for reviews before buying tickets.
The Film’s Strengths
Despite the slow prediction, Bhooth Bangla has many strengths. The film marks Akshay Kumar’s reunion with director Priyadarshan after 16 years. They last worked together on Khatta Meetha in 2010. Fans love their old films like Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
This is also Akshay’s return to the horror-comedy genre after 6 years. Priyadarshan is making his second Hindi horror-comedy after the 2007 blockbuster Bhool Bhulaiyaa. That film is still loved by fans. So there is a lot of nostalgia attached to this project.
The cast is another strength. The film features Paresh Rawal, Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, and Wamiqa Gabbi. These are all talented actors. Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav are known for their comedy timing. Tabu is a brilliant actress. Together, they could make the film very entertaining.
What Jisshu Sengupta Said
Actor Jisshu Sengupta also spoke about working with Priyadarshan. He told IANS, “The first couple of days, I was really… wouldn’t say I was tense, but I was, you know, working with ‘THE’ Priyadarshan. On the set, he is a very chilled-out director. He has fun and takes advice from everyone.”
This shows that the atmosphere on set was good. A happy set often leads to a good film. That could work in Bhooth Bangla’s favour.
What Happens Next?
The paid preview numbers will come in late tonight. Early audience reviews will start appearing on social media. If the reviews are positive, the film could pick up speed over the weekend. If the reviews are mixed, the struggle may continue.
For now, the prediction is clear. Bhooth Bangla may earn only Rs 2 to 3 crore from paid previews. That is far from the Rs 5 crore mark. But box office is unpredictable. Sometimes a film surprises everyone. Fans will be hoping for a pleasant surprise.
