The box office success of Bhooth Bangla, a long-awaited reunion of Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, is a testament to the enduring appeal of the horror-comedy genre for family audiences. The film's fourth weekend saw a remarkable 36.7% spike in collections, with Sunday's performance being the strongest, indicating a healthy and steady momentum. This growth is particularly impressive given the late stage of its run, suggesting that the Priyadarshan touch is indeed keeping the audience engaged.
The numbers speak for themselves. BookMyShow recorded a steady increase in ticket sales, with 28.38K on Friday, 51.52K on Saturday, and a peak of 59.31K on Sunday, resulting in a three-day total of 139.21K tickets. This trend is further emphasized by the national chains, where Friday saw 3,360 tickets sold, rising to 10,130 on Saturday and 16,330 on Sunday, giving a cumulative total of 29,820 tickets over the weekend. These figures showcase a strong and consistent performance, especially considering the film's late stage in its theatrical run.
The India net collection for the fourth weekend stands at a solid 8.85 crore, with the total India net collection reaching 158.85 crore, translating to a domestic gross of 188.51 crore. When overseas gross of 53.10 crore is added, the worldwide gross collection reaches an impressive 241.61 crore. The film's show count on Sunday, with 4,291 shows and a 21% occupancy rate, further highlights its sustained popularity.
However, the real test lies in how Bhooth Bangla compares to the horror-comedy hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which holds the record for worldwide gross with 265.50 crore. Bhooth Bangla currently sits at 241.61 crore, needing an additional 23.89 crore to surpass this mark. The steady performance in the fourth week suggests that it will likely cross the Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 worldwide total by the end of its sixth week or during its sixth weekend. Maintaining this momentum for the next two weeks will be crucial to achieving this milestone.
The upcoming competition from releases like Vvan - Force of the Forrest and Pati Patni Aur Woh 2 on May 15 could impact screen sharing and potentially cause a dip in Bhooth Bangla's performance. However, if the film can navigate this challenge and sustain its current pace, it has a strong chance of surpassing the Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 milestone and becoming a highly successful entry in the horror-comedy genre. The 250 crore worldwide milestone, which should be reached within the next few days, will be a significant achievement, further cementing the film's success.
In my opinion, the steady growth and positive trend in ticket sales indicate that Bhooth Bangla is not just a one-time success but a film that has resonated with audiences, especially the family market. The Priyadarshan touch, combined with Akshay Kumar's star power, has created a winning formula that continues to attract viewers. As the film approaches the 250 crore mark, it will be fascinating to see how it continues to perform and whether it can solidify its place as a landmark entry in the horror-comedy genre.
