The aftershocks of Dhurandhar 2 are already being felt beyond ticket windows. As Ranveer Singh‘s action sequel opened to a thunderous response in theatres this week, a section of exhibitors has begun urging the makers of Akshay Kumar‘s Bhooth Bangla to rethink its April 10 release, arguing that the current box office frenzy may leave little room for another major Hindi title so soon.
Trade estimates have pegged Dhurandhar 2‘s Hindi opening day total at over Rs 72 crore. That places the Aditya Dhar directorial ahead of Jawan as the biggest opener in Hindi cinema. The film reached theatres on March 19, with paid previews beginning a day earlier, and has quickly established itself as the dominant theatrical event in the market.
Trade Pushes For A Rethink
One exhibitor who weighed in strongly on the situation said Bhooth Bangla would be better served by moving away from its current date. Raj Bansal, an exhibitor from Rajasthan, said, “I am sure they will do it. The prices at which Dhurandhar 2 tickets are being sold, it will drain out the entertainment budget for a family .” He further added, “There will be an immediate comparison with Dhurandhar 2.”
His point also touches on pricing fatigue. Bansal noted that premium ticket rates had climbed to unusual levels in some circuits and suggested the current surge may sustain excitement through the opening weekend before normalising. The concern for rival releases is simple: when one film captures audience spending and conversation so decisively, the next big arrival risks entering theatres under pressure.
Two Very Different Films Are Now On A Collision Course
Dhurandhar 2, also titled Dhurandhar: The Revenge, is directed by Aditya Dhar and produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios. The action thriller stars Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt. The sequel continues the Dhurandhar story, following an undercover Indian spy drawn deeper into a volatile mission shaped by gang warfare, state power and personal revenge.
That makes the contrast with Bhooth Bangla even sharper. Priyadarshan‘s horror comedy stars Akshay Kumar alongside Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Wamiqa Gabbi, Mithila Palkar and Jisshu Sengupta. Presented by Balaji Motion Pictures in association with Cape of Good Films, the film is scheduled to release in theatres on April 10, 2026. In pure genre terms, the two films are worlds apart, but in a crowded theatrical marketplace, timing can matter as much as tone.
Why This Date Matters In Akshay Kumar’s Current Phase
That is precisely why exhibitors are watching Bhooth Bangla so closely. Akshay Kumar has remained one of Hindi cinema’s busiest stars, and this Priyadarshan reunion carries added weight because it taps into a comic space that has long worked strongly for him on the big screen.
His recent run has included OMG 2 in 2023, followed by Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Sarfira, Khel Khel Mein and Singham Again in 2024, before 2025 titles such as Sky Force, Kesari Chapter 2, Housefull 5 and Jolly LLB 3. Against that backdrop, Bhooth Bangla is not just another release. It is a key theatrical play in his current phase, backed by a familiar collaborator and a genre that carries strong audience recall. That is exactly why trade voices believe the film may benefit more from breathing room than from stepping into the shadow of Dhurandhar 2.
Stay tuned with us for the latest news, Hindi box office news, Hollywood news, OTT news, the latest Bollywood news, and the latest box office news.
