As Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan reunite after 14 years, the financial stakes for Bhooth Bangla are as massive as the hype. With the film set for paid previews tomorrow (April 16) and a wide release on April 17, 2026, the salary details reveal a lean upfront fee model for the lead star in favor of a heavy backend profit-sharing deal.
The Lead: Akshay Kumar’s Hybrid Deal
In a shift from his traditional high-upfront fee (which has previously touched ₹100 crore), Akshay Kumar is taking a more “producer-friendly” approach for this ₹120 crore project:
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Upfront Fee: ₹18 Crore
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Profit Share: 70% (As a co-producer)
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Significance: This move significantly lowers the film’s “landing cost,” making it easier for the project to hit the break-even point at the box office.
The Supporting Cast Salaries
The film features a mix of veteran comedy legends and fresh talent, with salaries distributed as follows:
| Cast Member | Reported Salary |
| Tabu | ₹2 Crore |
| Wamiqa Gabbi | ₹1 Crore |
| Rajpal Yadav | ₹75–80 Lakh |
Production & Economics
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Total Budget: ₹120 Crore.
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Producer Split: While Akshay Kumar holds 70% of the profits, Ektaa Kapoor (the other primary producer) holds the remaining 30% share.
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The Genre Factor: By positioning the film in the high-demand horror-comedy space, the makers are banking on the same “Priyadarshan-style” slapstick nostalgia that made Bhool Bhulaiyaa a cult classic.
Plot Tease
The trailer reveals Akshay Kumar’s character stubbornly insisting on a wedding at the Mangalpur Palace. The palace is reportedly plagued by the “Curse of Vadhusur,” a paranormal entity that ensures, as the tagline suggests, that neither the people nor the house are “normal.”
Box Office Watch: With paid previews starting tomorrow, industry trackers are closely watching if the Akshay-Priyadarshan brand can revitalize the veteran actor’s box office run in 2026.
