Akshay Kumar's Bhooth Bangla postponed as Dhurandhar: The Revenge storms box office; paid previews from April 16

Mumbai: The release plan for Bhooth Bangla, starring Akshay Kumar, has been revised, with the makers officially confirming a one-week delay. The horror-comedy, backed by Ektaa Kapoor, will now release in theatres on 17 April 2026, instead of its earlier scheduled date.

Alongside the shift, the team has also announced paid previews for the film, which will begin on 16 April from 9 pm onwards. The move is being positioned as a calculated decision aimed at optimising theatrical space and ensuring better visibility for multiple films currently running in cinemas.

Explaining the rationale, Ektaa Kapoor said the decision was taken after discussions with distributors and exhibitors across key markets. She noted that the aim was to ensure the film gets a stronger theatrical run while also supporting the broader industry ecosystem.

Check out Ektaa Kapoor's post:

The timing of this shift is closely linked to the phenomenal box office performance of Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which continues to dominate theatres. The film, featuring Ranveer Singh, R Madhavan and Sanjay Dutt, has emerged as one of the biggest releases in recent times.

According to industry estimates, Dhurandhar: The Revenge opened to a massive ₹145 crore on day one, including preview screenings. In just two weeks, the film has reportedly crossed ₹920 crore net in India and over ₹1,400 crore worldwide, maintaining strong momentum even in its second week.

Kapoor pointed out that exhibitors preferred giving the blockbuster an uninterrupted run, a move she described as beneficial for the industry at large. She added that staggering releases allows films to maximise audience attention, marketing impact, and box office potential without cannibalising each other’s business.

Directed by Priyadarshan, Bhooth Bangla marks his reunion with Akshay Kumar after nearly two decades. The duo is known for delivering some of Hindi cinema’s most popular comedy entertainers, including Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Garam Masala, all of which continue to enjoy a loyal fan base.

The upcoming film also features an ensemble cast including Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, Jisshu Sengupta and Mithila Palkar in key roles.

Presented by Balaji Motion Pictures in association with Cape of Good Films, Bhooth Bangla has already generated considerable buzz with its teaser and music. The introduction of paid previews is expected to help build early audience reactions and word-of-mouth ahead of its theatrical release.

While such release adjustments are not uncommon in Bollywood, this particular move highlights how box office dynamics continue to influence scheduling decisions, especially when a film is performing exceptionally well. Whether the strategy pays off for Bhooth Bangla will become clearer once it reaches theatres later this month.