Akshay Kumar Is Confident ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Fever Won't Affect Bhooth Bangla's Box Office
Akshay Kumar opened up about releasing a light-hearted horror-comedy film at a time when action movies are ruling the box office.
As Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ continues to shatter records at the global box office, all eyes are now turning towards the next big cinematic showdown. Despite the ‘Dhurandhar 2’ mania currently gripping the nation, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar remains remarkably unfazed. Gearing up for his much-anticipated reunion with veteran director Priyadarshan in the horror-comedy ‘Bhooth Bangla’, the actor has made it clear that he isn't sweating the competition. In a recent interaction, Akshay Kumar addressed the elephant in the room: the massive success of Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller.
ALSO READ | Watch: Akshay Kumar’s ‘Bhooth Bangla’ Teaser Promises Laughter, Screams And Haunted Haveli Madness
‘Dhurandhar 2’, which arrived in theatres on March 19, has already become a certified sensation, minting a staggering Rs 850 crore in just five days and eyeing the Rs 1,000 crore mark worldwide. However, Akshay highlighted a fundamental difference between the two projects.
“There are different kinds of films being made. Dhurandhar is a great film, I've seen it. This (Bhooth Bangla) is a different film. Dhurandhar is an adult film; this is for kids and families,” the actor told news agency PTI in an interaction.
ALSO READ | Watch: Akshay Kumar Unleashes “Nonstop Madness” With ‘Ram Ji Aake Bhala Karenge’ From ‘Bhooth Bangla’
While ‘Dhurandhar 2’ has been noted for its realism, intense gore, and graphic violence, ‘Bhooth Bangla’ aims to capture the pure entertainment space that the Akshay-Priyadarshan duo is legendary for.
When asked if releasing a light-hearted horror-comedy was a conscious move to counter the current wave of violent actioners and spy thrillers, Akshay was quick to dismiss the idea of following market trends. “When we made this film, we didn't look at what the current trend is; we looked at whether the story was good or not and accordingly, we made this film. We never thought about the trend,” he explained.
Director Priyadarshan echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the audience eventually craves a palette cleanser after a string of intense releases. Referring to the success of movies like ‘Dhurandhar’ and ‘Border 2’, he remarked, “Films like Dhurandhar, Border 2, all are doing extremely well, and all of a sudden, when you take a break and do something different, it is great. People who watch films like Dhurandhar can also enjoy it.”
Priyadarshan, known for iconic hits like ‘Hera Pheri’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, emphasised that his “area of exploitation” is actually larger than that of action films because it appeals to a universal audience. He promised a “clean” film free of double meanings or vulgarity. “Any parent can proudly bring their children and watch my film... I never embarrass the parents,” the director stated.
‘Bhooth Bangla’ marks the return of the Akshay-Priyadarshan collaboration after more than a decade. Presented by Balaji Motion Pictures in association with Cape of Good Films, the movie features a stellar ensemble cast including Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, and Wamiqa Gabbi.
The actor-director duo is clearly back in their classic rhythm, revealing that they have already completed another project titled ‘Haiwaan’, which also stars Saif Ali Khan. Fans can also look forward to the third installment of the ‘Hera Pheri’ franchise in the near future.
With ‘Bhooth Bangla’ slated for an April 10 release – three weeks after the ‘Dhurandhar 2’ storm began – the industry is watching closely to see if this family-friendly horror-comedy can carve its own successful path at the box office.
If Akshay’s confidence is any indication, the “Bhooth” is ready to give the “Spy” a run for his money.
