MUMBAI, MARCH 24, 2026 — As the Indian box office undergoes a massive “Dhurandhar mania,” superstar Akshay Kumar remains unfazed. Despite the record-shattering run of Ranveer Singh’s gritty spy thriller Dhurandhar 2, Akshay is confident that his upcoming horror-comedy, Bhooth Bangla, will find its own massive audience when it haunts theaters on April 10.
The film marks the highly anticipated reunion of Akshay and legendary director Priyadarshan after more than a decade, a partnership that previously birthed classics like Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
Different Worlds: Gritty Action vs. Family Fun
While Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has been praised for its realism and graphic violence—earning an “Adult” rating—Akshay is positioning Bhooth Bangla as the perfect counter-programming for the holiday season.
“Dhurandhar is a great film, I’ve seen it,” Akshay told PTI. “But this is a different film. Dhurandhar is an adult film; Bhooth Bangla is for kids and families. When we made this film, we didn’t look at what the current trend is; we looked at whether the story was good.”
The “Dhurandhar” Juggernaut
To say the competition is stiff would be an understatement. Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar 2 has become a cultural phenomenon:
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Current Earnings: The sequel has minted a staggering ₹850 crore in just its first five days.
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Legacy: It follows the 2025 original which grossed ₹1,300 crore globally.
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Impact: The film’s “gore and graphic realism” have sparked intense social media debates, with creator Dhruv Rathee recently labeling it “brain rot propaganda,” while others like Paresh Rawal have fiercely defended it.
Priyadarshan’s Take: “Audience Can Like Both”
Director Priyadarshan echoed Akshay’s sentiments, suggesting that the “mass actioner” trend doesn’t mean other genres are dead. “Films like Dhurandhar and Border 2 are doing extremely well, but when you take a break and do something different, it is great. People who watch action can also enjoy comedy,” he noted.
About Bhooth Bangla
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Release Date: April 10, 2026.
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Cast: Akshay Kumar, Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi, and the iconic comedy duo of Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav.
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Genre: Horror-Comedy.
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Production: Balaji Motion Pictures in association with Cape of Good Films.
As the industry watches to see if Bhooth Bangla can break the stranglehold of action thrillers, the film’s success will likely depend on whether families are ready to swap the high-octane violence of the “Dhurandhar-verse” for some classic Priyadarshan-style laughs.
