The unprecedented box office momentum of Dhurandhar: The Revenge is now reshaping Bollywood’s release calendar. As the Ranveer Singh-led spy thriller continues its historic run in cinemas, the makers of Bhooth Bangla have pushed the film’s theatrical release by a week, giving the blockbuster an uninterrupted window at the box office.
Bhooth Bangla release postponed amid Dhurandhar box office storm
The makers of Bhooth Bangla have officially postponed the film’s theatrical release by a week. The horror-comedy, starring Akshay Kumar and directed by Priyadarshan, was originally scheduled to arrive in theatres on April 10.
It will now release on April 17, 2026, with paid previews beginning April 16 at 9 PM.
Producer Ektaa Kapoor confirmed the development through an Instagram announcement, explaining that the decision followed extensive discussions with distributors and exhibitors across major markets.
According to the official statement, exhibitors requested a delay to allow Dhurandhar: The Revenge to continue its dominant theatrical run without competition.
A rare move — but a telling one.
Dhurandhar’s extraordinary box office run
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar: The Revenge has emerged as one of the biggest box office juggernauts in recent years.
The film opened with a staggering ₹145 crore on its first day, including paid previews, instantly setting the tone for its theatrical run. Even more impressive has been its consistency.
Within 14 days, the film has reportedly collected over ₹920 crore net in India and more than ₹1,400 crore worldwide.
Those numbers have already pushed the film past the lifetime collections of several major blockbusters, including:
- Jawan
- Pathaan
- Kalki 2898 AD
- RRR
- Pushpa: The Rise
- KGF: Chapter 2
The spy thriller stars Ranveer Singh alongside Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt and Rakesh Bedi in key roles.
The next milestone in sight? The lifetime numbers of Baahubali: The Conclusion and Pushpa 2: The Rule.
Why exhibitors wanted a clear theatrical window
In its official note, the production team acknowledged that the overwhelming response to Dhurandhar played a major role in the decision.
The statement noted that distributors and exhibitors across key markets felt the film deserved “a clear, uninterrupted window” in theatres due to its exceptional performance.
This kind of strategic adjustment isn’t common — but it isn’t unprecedented either.
When mega blockbusters dominate screens, exhibitors often prefer to maximise revenue from the momentum rather than split showtimes between competing releases. In trade terms, it’s about protecting theatrical yield.
And right now, Dhurandhar is delivering exactly that.
Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan’s reunion after 17 years
While the delay may surprise fans, anticipation around Bhooth Bangla remains strong — largely because of the reunion between Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan.
The duo last collaborated 17 years ago but previously delivered several iconic comedy hits, including:
- Hera Pheri
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa
- De Dana Dan
- Bhagam Bhag
- Garam Masala
Those films remain cult favourites even today.
The upcoming horror-comedy also features an ensemble cast including Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, Jisshu Sengupta and Mithila Palkar.
The film is produced by Akshay Kumar, Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa Kapoor.
With Dhurandhar: The Revenge continuing its remarkable theatrical run, the decision to delay Bhooth Bangla reflects a broader industry strategy: protect the momentum of a blockbuster while ensuring upcoming releases get their own moment at the box office.
For now, all eyes remain on whether Dhurandhar’s historic run can climb even higher.
