Bhooth Bangla Registers Strong Opening, Marks Best Start for Akshay Kumar Since Sooryavanshi

Akshay Kumar’s latest release Bhooth Bangla has opened to encouraging numbers at the box office, delivering the actor’s strongest first-day performance in recent years. The horror-comedy has drawn significant footfall on its opening day, signalling renewed audience interest and a positive start for the film.

According to early estimates, the film collected around ₹12 crore on its first day in India, with total earnings—including paid previews—reaching approximately ₹15.75 crore. The gross domestic collection was reported to be close to ₹18.9 crore, while the film’s worldwide earnings stood at nearly ₹23.9 crore, reflecting a solid global response.

The opening marks Akshay Kumar’s best day-one performance since Sooryavanshi, which had set a high benchmark with a much higher initial collection. While Bhooth Bangla has not surpassed that figure, it has comfortably outperformed several of the actor’s recent releases, indicating a potential turnaround in his box office fortunes.

The film witnessed a notable surge from preview shows to its first full day. Early screenings contributed around ₹3.5 crore, followed by a sharp jump in collections on release day, suggesting growing word-of-mouth and audience curiosity. Industry observers note that such an upward trend could play a crucial role in sustaining momentum over the weekend.

Directed by Priyadarshan, the film marks a reunion between the filmmaker and Akshay Kumar, a duo known for delivering several popular comedies in the past. The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, and Wamiqa Gabbi, adding to its appeal.

Despite its promising start, the film faces stiff competition from other releases currently running in theatres. Additionally, it trails behind some recent blockbuster openings in the horror-comedy genre, which have set high expectations at the box office. Trade analysts believe the coming weekend will be critical in determining the film’s overall trajectory. A consistent rise in collections could help it capitalise on its strong opening and establish itself as a successful theatrical run.