Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan’s reunion film Bhooth Bangla pushed back
Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan, who are reuniting after 14 years for the horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla, have delayed the film’s previously announced release. The Ekta Kapoor-produced project was slated to hit cinemas on April 3, 2025, but sources tell Bollywood Hungama the date has been postponed and a fresh release will be revealed soon.
Why the delay?
A source close to the project explained the reasoning behind the move: “Akshay Kumar is aware that Dhurandhar 2 could rewrite history at the box office and doesn’t want to arrive in the middle of what could be a historic moment of Indian Cinema. He is a smart businessman, and also saw how the first part of Dhurandhar took a hit on the Christmas release, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. He has discussed the idea of delay with Ekta Kapoor, and will be announcing a new date soon.”
The source added that this is a business decision rather than an ego-driven one: “Akshay isn’t someone who would claim ownership of a date just because he announced it first. He thinks for the industry, and after a long chat with Aditya Dhar and Jyoti Deshpande about Dhurandhar 2, he has himself decided to push the horror comedy back by a month or two.”
Industry context: avoiding a big clash
Box-office clashes can shape a film’s fortunes, and stars increasingly factor competition into release strategies. According to the insiders, Akshay is opting to steer clear of a potential head-to-head with Dhurandhar 2 — a film industry members believe could dominate ticket sales. Pushing Bhooth Bangla back by a few weeks or months is a precautionary move to maximise footfall and revenue.
What we know about Bhooth Bangla
- Genre: Horror-comedy.
- Director: Priyadarshan — marking a reunion with Akshay after 14 years.
- Producer: Ekta Kapoor, alongside Akshay Kumar.
- Cast note: Actress Wamiqa Gabbi has described working with Akshay and Priyadarshan on the film as a “childhood dream.”
When can we expect the new date?
Insiders say the film may be moved by a month or two, but an official announcement is awaited. The team will confirm the revised release date soon. Until then, promotions and preparations are likely to continue behind the scenes while the calendar is finalised.
What this means for audiences
Fans of Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan will have to wait a little longer, but the postponement appears strategic — aimed at ensuring Bhooth Bangla has a clearer runway at the box office. With a stellar team and a genre that blends laughs with scares, expectations remain high. Keep an eye out for the official update on the new release date.
