His mother wanted him to be a teacher, says his childhood friend

By IANS News
April 30, 2020 at 7:23 AM IST
1.8K
2 min read
His mother wanted him to be a teacher, says his childhood friend

Jaipur, April 29 (IANS) Bharatpur Superintendent of Police Haider Ali Zaidi was a childhood friend of Bollywood star Irrfan Khan, whose death on Wednesday stunned him. Zaidi studied with him in school and college and was his neighbor once.





"I saw him struggling in his tough days -- he would travel-hungry in local trains in Mumbai and at times would sleep without having food," recalls Zaidi.





Irrfan's mother, too, had passed away last Saturday.





"She wanted Irrfan to leave the film industry and become a school teacher in Jaipur for an easier life and spend the rest of his life in their ancestors' haveli," says Zaidi.





"Despite touching new heights, Irrfan remained grounded... we'd often talk to each other," said Zaidi, adding "while Khan pursued MA in Urdu, Zaidi did his masters in economics."





Zaidi said that Irrfan had a helping nature. The police officer recalled how he saved his life once when he touched a live electric wire by mistake while returning from school. "Khan immediately pushed me away to save my life," Zaidi said.





"It seemed he would call me today and we would again share our memories", said Zaidi, barely holding his tears.





"I could not even attend his last journey," he said.





Irrfan Khan passed away on Wednesday due to colon-infection at the age of 54. His death sent shockwaves across the film world.





Stay tuned...



Tags

Bollywood IANS Irrfan Khan
Published on April 30, 2020 at 1:53 AM

Write Your Comment Here

0/500

Max 500 characters, 100 words. Comments are moderated.

Related News & Articles

Dhurandhar 2 Day 41 Box Office: 6th Tuesday Jumps 19% To Beat Stree 2; Worldwide Total Hits Rs. 1780 Cr Box Office
90 views

Dhurandhar 2 Day 41 Box Office: 6th Tuesday Jumps 19% To Beat Stree 2; Worldwide Total Hits Rs. 1780 Cr

BY SACNILK

Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge continues to exhibit remarkable staying power at the box office, even as it enters its sixth week of release. On its 41st day, the film recorded a net collection of 1.30 crore across 2,925 shows in India. This steady performance on a sixth Tuesday is a testament to the film's enduring appeal among the audience, particularly as it navigates a phase where most big-budget productions typically exhaust their theatrical run. The domestic net total has now reached a staggering 1,132.94 crore, while the India gross stands at 1,356.01 crore. Top 5 Highest 6th Tuesday Collections (Hindi Net)MOVIE NAME6TH TUESDAY COLLECTIONDhurandhar₹ 2.60 CrChhaava₹ 1.40 CrURI: The Surgical Strike₹ 1.38 CrDhurandhar 2: The Revenge₹ 1.25 CrStree 2₹ 1.25 Cr The film's performance in national cinema chains remains noteworthy for a sixth-week release. On Tuesday, it sold 20,000 tickets across PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, generating a gross of 30 lakh. PVR led the contribution with 10,000 tickets sold at an occupancy of 11 percent, followed by INOX with 7000 tickets and Cinepolis with 3000 tickets. The overall occupancy for these chains stood at 8 percent across 1,400 shows, indicating that the film is still a preferred choice for cinema-goers despite several new releases entering the fray. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The digital engagement on BookMyShow also reflects this momentum. Dhurandhar 2 sold 30,270 tickets on the platform this Tuesday, marking an improvement over its Monday sales of 25,450. In the sixth Tuesday sales rankings, it maintained a solid third position, trailing only behind the original Dhurandhar and Laalo, while staying ahead of other heavyweights like Chhaava and Pushpa 2. This daily consistency has helped the film cross a massive milestone of 1.80 crore total tickets sold on BookMyShow since its release. The journey of ticket sales on the platform showcases a massive trend starting from the pre-sales period through to the sixth week. Here is the week-wise breakdown of tickets booked on BookMyShow: Pre Sales: 2.41 Million 1st Extended Week: 8.92 Million 2nd Week: 3.62 Million 3rd Week: 1.58 Million 4th Week: 931K 5th Week: 387K 6th Week (Till Tue): 213K Total: 1,80,52,310 Tickets On the global front, Dhurandhar 2 added 0.25 crore from overseas markets on Day 41. The total international gross now stands at 424.75 crore. When combined with the domestic gross, the worldwide total has reached 1,780.76 crore. The film is now steadily inching toward the 1,800 crore global milestone. Given the current daily trajectory and the lack of significant competition in its niche, the film is expected to maintain its foothold throughout the remainder of the week, further solidifying its status as one of the most successful Indian films of all time.

David Dhawan's Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Moves Back To Original Date After Toxic Postponement Bollywood
247 views

David Dhawan's Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Moves Back To Original Date After Toxic Postponement

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 29 - In a fresh turn of events at the box office, director David Dhawan's upcoming romantic comedy Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, starring Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, and Pooja Hegde, has moved back to its earlier release strategy after Yash's Toxic underwent scheduling changes. Earlier this year, the makers of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai had postponed the film from June 5 to June 12, 2026, and then moved up to May 22, to avoid a direct box office clash with Toxic, which was shifted to June 4. The decision was taken to maintain a healthy release window and avoid unnecessary competition, as producers emphasised the importance of mutual support within the industry. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) However, with Toxic now confirmed to arrive at a later date, the release calendar has opened up again. This has encouraged the makers of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai to go back to their original strategy, as they have now rescheduled the movie to its original date, June 5, 2026. With multiple date shifts already impacting the 2026 release calendar, this move highlights how one big-ticket film like Toxic can trigger a domino effect across the industry. Now, with the clash no longer a concern, all eyes are on whether Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai can capitalise on a clearer release window and deliver a strong theatrical performance.

Bhooth Bangla Day 12 Box Office Collection: 19% Jump; Becomes Akshay Kumar's Number 1 Post-Pandemic 2nd Tuesday Earner Box Office
888 views

Bhooth Bangla Day 12 Box Office Collection: 19% Jump; Becomes Akshay Kumar's Number 1 Post-Pandemic 2nd Tuesday Earner

BY SACNILK

Bhooth Bangla, featuring Akshay Kumar, saw an improvement in its collections on the second Tuesday. The film earned 4.35 crore net on its twelfth day, reflecting a 19.2 percent increase from the 3.65 crore reported on the second Monday. This mid-week uptick is largely due to the implementation of a Buy 1 Get 1 ticket offer across booking platforms. The incentive helped the film stay steady during the working week, preventing the typical Tuesday drop and pushing the daily total slightly higher than the previous day. The collection of 4.35 crore on the second Tuesday stands as one of the better mid-week holds for the actor in recent years. Below is how the film compares to other major Day 12 (2nd Tuesday) collections of Akshay Kumar in the post-pandemic era: Bhooth Bangla: 4.35 Cr Housefull 5: 4.25 Cr Sooryavanshi: 3.92 Cr Jolly LLB 3: 3.75 Cr OMG 2: 3.25 Cr The total domestic performance now stands at a solid 121.40 crore in net collections, while the India gross has reached 144.25 crore. Despite being in its second week, the film maintained a strong footprint with 9,117 shows running across the country. The trend suggests that the audience interest remains high, particularly in the family segment, which was the target demographic for the promotional offer. The film has now effectively built a platform to cross the 125 crore net mark before the conclusion of its second week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) A closer look at the theatrical occupancy reveals a strong upward trajectory as the day progressed. The morning shows started on a quiet note with 6 percent occupancy, but the numbers saw a steady climb during the afternoon and evening, hovering around 14 percent. However, the night shows saw the biggest jump, reaching nearly 19 percent occupancy. This pattern indicates that the BOGO offer effectively pushed working professionals and families toward the later screenings, ensuring a high closing for the day. The performance in national cinema chains was instrumental in driving the Day 12 numbers. PVR led the charts with 17,800 tickets sold, followed by INOX with 9,800 tickets and Cinepolis with 4,800 tickets. In total, the national chains accounted for approximately 32,450 ticket sales, generating a combined gross of over 53 lakh from these specific venues alone. The National Capital Region (NCR) remains a primary stronghold for the film, maintaining 1,010 shows and recording consistent footfalls that outpaced many other major territories. Digital ticket sales on BookMyShow also mirrored this positive sentiment. The platform recorded a total of 80,000 ticket sales for the second Tuesday, a massive leap from the previous day's momentum. Between 8 am and 10 pm, the film sold over 60,000 tickets compared to 46,500 during the same period yesterday. Even the late-night hourly trend showed growth, with 3,820 tickets sold in the 9-10 pm window compared to 3,430 on Monday night, proving that the film's momentum is gathering pace rather than slowing down. On the global front, Bhooth Bangla added 1.50 crore from overseas markets on its twelfth day, taking its total international gross to 51 crore. When combined with the domestic gross, the film's worldwide total has reached 195.25 crore. With this current trajectory, the film is officially on the countdown to join the 200 crore club, a milestone it is expected to surpass by the end of today. Achieving this feat within twelve days marks a significant victory for the Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan duo, reaffirming their box office pull in the horror-comedy genre.

Aditya Dhar To Begin His Next In March 2027; May Reunite With Ranveer Singh Bollywood
1.2K views

Aditya Dhar To Begin His Next In March 2027; May Reunite With Ranveer Singh

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 28 - After the massive success of the Dhurandhar franchise, director Aditya Dhar is gearing up for his next ambitious project. The filmmaker is planning to take his next film on the floors in March 2027, and the script work has already begun. According to the report by Pinkvilla, Dhar has cracked a fresh idea and is currently developing the script, aiming to deliver yet another large-scale cinematic experience. While the genre and storyline are being kept tightly under wraps, the project is expected to match the scale and intensity of his previous successes. Recently, it was reported that Dhar was working on a mythological and a sports film as his next, and his next could be one of these two. Ranveer Singh is the frontrunner to headline the film, and the conversation with him has already commenced. The paperwork, however, is yet to be done. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The actor-director duo has just delivered massive box office hits with the Dhurandhar series, making their potential reunion one of the most exciting prospects in Bollywood right now. The final decision will reportedly be taken once the script is fully ready, and discussions are expected to move forward in the coming months. Aditya Dhar's recent work has set a new benchmark at the box office, with Dhurandhar and its sequel emerging among the biggest Hindi film successes of all time. This has naturally raised expectations for his next venture, which is already being seen as one of the most anticipated films of the coming years. If the reunion with Ranveer Singh materialises, the project could turn into another high-octane spectacle, continuing their successful collaboration streak.

Bollywood's April Box Office Review: Bhooth Bangla and Dhurandhar 2 Maintain Unstoppable Momentum With 500+ Crore Gross Bollywood
2.7K views

Bollywood's April Box Office Review: Bhooth Bangla and Dhurandhar 2 Maintain Unstoppable Momentum With 500+ Crore Gross

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 28 - It has been quite an explosive year for Bollywood at the box office despite only a few successful films. It was the month of March which witnessed one of the biggest months for Indian cinema, thanks to Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge and April has continued the unstoppable momentum with one more major success in Bhooth Bangla, joining the Ranveer Singh starrer. April 2026 turned out to be a power-packed month, particularly for Bollywood, driven largely by the blockbuster run of Bhooth Bangla and Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge. Both films not only sustained strong theatrical momentum but also collectively pushed April month's box office well past the 500 crore mark, signalling a robust phase for Hindi cinema. Dhurandhar 2 and Bhooth Bangla Dominate With 550 Crore Combined Gross (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar 2 remained the top-performing film throughout April after the earth-shattering 1400+ crores gross in March. Even in its later weeks, the action entertainer continued to attract significant footfall, benefiting from strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewership. While the film had already amassed a massive total in March, its April run added an estimated 280 crore gross in India, and around 350 crores worldwide, with steady weekday holds and notable weekend spikes. The film's global total surged further during the month and currently stands at around 1780 crores gross in 40 days. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Akshay Kumar's Bhooth Bangla delivered an impressive performance as a horror-comedy entertainer. The film crossed the 100 crore mark within the first week and is maintaining a good pace in the second week. In 11 days so far, Priyadarshan's directorial has grossed around 190 crores and is set to enter the 200 crores club in the next few days. The trade was worried about Bhooth Bangla's box office prospects, because of the strong momentum of Dhurandhar 2. But due to star power and genre appeal, the movie responded solidly to all the doubts with a strong box office performance. It is now heading towards emerging as Akshay Kumar's second biggest grosser in the post-pandemic era. Together, both Dhurandhar 2 and Bhooth Bangla have added around 550 crores worldwide, including around 425 crores gross at the domestic box office alone. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Bollywood Box Office Highlight of April Month - Dhurandhar 2 remains the top grosser in India and worldwide. - Dhurandhar 2 emerged as the third biggest Indian grosser, beating Pushpa 2. - Dhurandhar 2 emerged as the biggest Indian grosser worldwide (without China) - Bhooth Bangla continued Akshay Kumar's winning momentum. - Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 flops at the box office. - Bollywood box office tops 550+ crores gross in April.

Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat Release Date: Akshay Kumar's Marathi Historical Drama Shoot Wrapped As Makers Eye January 2027 Release Bollywood
2.5K views

Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat Release Date: Akshay Kumar's Marathi Historical Drama Shoot Wrapped As Makers Eye January 2027 Release

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 28 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar's Marathi film debut Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat is back on track amid continued delay. The film was officially announced in November 2022, with Akshay Kumar in the extended role as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It was initially planned for the Diwali 2023 release, but the movie faced major production hurdles, which pushed the timeline indefinitely. Now, according to the latest report by Bollywood Hungama, the shoot of Veer Daudle Saat has been completed. After facing multiple delays and production hurdles over the past few years, the historical epic is now moving steadily into post-production, with the team eyeing a grand theatrical release on January 1, 2027. Akshay Kumar's Marathi Debut (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, the film marks Akshay Kumar's Marathi cinema debut, where he essays the role of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film revolves around the bravery of seven Maratha warriors and their contribution to the vision of Swarajya, making it a large-scale period drama rooted in history and valour. The project had earlier been stuck due to financial constraints and scheduling issues, which led to significant delays and uncertainty around its completion. However, with the shoot now wrapped, the makers have resumed momentum and are focusing on extensive post-production work, including VFX and scale enhancements required for a film of this magnitude. The ensemble cast features actors like Pravin Tarde, Vishal Nikam, Jay Dudhane, and Utkarsha Shinde in key roles, portraying the valiant warriors at the heart of the story. The film is being planned as a pan-India release, with versions in multiple languages to reach a wider audience.

Aamir Khan Confirms Sequel To 3 Idiots With Rajkumar Hirani Bollywood
957 views

Aamir Khan Confirms Sequel To 3 Idiots With Rajkumar Hirani

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 28 - The sequel to director Rajkumar Hirani's iconic blockbuster 3 Idiots, starring Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, and Kareena Kapoor, has long been in discussion among the fans and industry people alike. Recently, it was reported that the filmmaker was working on the idea of a sequel, and now, superstar Aamir Khan has confirmed that same. Aamir Khan Confirms 3 Idiots Sequel In a major and exciting update for Bollywood fans, Aamir Khan has officially confirmed that a sequel to his iconic film 3 Idiots is in the works. The project will reunite him with acclaimed filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, who is currently developing the script. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The actor revealed that Hirani has already narrated the story to him, and he was thoroughly impressed by the concept. While the screenplay is still under development, Aamir described the idea as "wonderful," hinting that the sequel is being crafted with the same care and depth that made the original film a cultural phenomenon. The sequel will be set 10 years after the events of the first film, revisiting the lives of Rancho, Farhan, and Raju. The time jump is expected to explore how their journeys have evolved beyond college, while maintaining the emotional core and relatable storytelling that resonated with audiences back in 2009. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Aamir also hinted that while the sequel will retain the humour and heart of the original, it will feature a fresh and "unusual" storyline. This suggests that Hirani is aiming to avoid a conventional follow-up and instead bring a new perspective, much like he did with the first film's take on India's education system. Released in 2009, 3 Idiots went on to become one of the most successful and influential films in Indian cinema, praised for its message on pursuing passion over societal pressure. With a sequel now officially in development, expectations are naturally sky-high, and if executed well, the film could mark one of the biggest nostalgic returns on the big screen.

From Patriot and Raja Shivaji to Kara and Ek Din: 7 Major Theatrical Releases This Week Bollywood
654 views

From Patriot and Raja Shivaji to Kara and Ek Din: 7 Major Theatrical Releases This Week

BY SACNILK

The final week of April and the beginning of May 2026 are shaping up to be one of the most significant periods for the Indian box office this year. With the Maharashtra Day and May Day holidays providing a lucrative window, several high-profile films across Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi, and Hindi are slated for release. The lineup features a mix of massive superstar reunions, highly anticipated debuts, and historical magnums opuses that have already begun showing decent momentum in pre-sales and audience interest. Leading the charge in terms of sheer scale and nostalgia is the Malayalam spy thriller Patriot, which brings together legends Mammootty and Mohanlal. Simultaneously, the Tamil and Kannada markets are bracing for intense action dramas like Kara and KD: The Devil. In the North and Maharashtra circuits, the focus remains on the historical scale of Raja Shivaji and the debut of Junaid Khan in Ek Din. This multi-lingual explosion ensures that every major film circuit will have a high-stakes release to drive footfalls over the long weekend. Below is the detailed breakdown of the major releases scheduled for this week: Movie Name: KD: The Devil Release Date: April 30, 2026 Language: Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam Director: Prem Set in 1970s Bangalore and based on real-life underworld events, this period actioner marks a grand return for Dhruva Sarja. The production scale is heavily bolstered by the presence of Sanjay Dutt as the antagonist Dhak Deva and Shilpa Shetty's return to Kannada cinema. The film has already recorded 13.12K tickets sold on BookMyShow within a 24-hour window, benefiting from its wide multi-lingual release and a star-studded ensemble that includes Nora Fatehi making her Kannada debut. Movie Name: Kara Release Date: April 30, 2026 Language: Tamil, Telugu Director: Vignesh Raja This gritty thriller is set in 1991 Ramanathapuram, unfolding over 16 days against the backdrop of the Gulf War fuel crisis. Dhanush plays Karasamy, a man returning to protect his ancestral land, supported by Mamitha Baiju and Suraj Venjaramoodu. With a meaty runtime of 2 hours 41 minutes and a UA 16+ certificate, the film has seen 5.41K tickets sold on BookMyShow in 24 hours, with Netflix already bagging the digital rights for a significant price. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Movie Name: Raja Shivaji Release Date: May 1, 2026 Language: Marathi, Hindi Director: Riteish Deshmukh Mounted as the most expensive Marathi film to date with a budget of ₹100–200 crore, this is a decade-long dream project for Riteish Deshmukh. Featuring the technical pedigree of cinematographer Santosh Sivan and the music duo Ajay-Atul, the film is witnessing high ground-level excitement. Early trends show 22.41K tickets sold in a 24-hour period, with an additional 5,000 new users marking their interest daily on BookMyShow as it heads into a major Maharashtra Day release. Movie Name: Ek Din Release Date: May 1, 2026 Language: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu Director: Sunil Pandey This Aamir Khan production marks the official Bollywood debut of Junaid Khan and South star Sai Pallavi. An official remake of the Thai film One Day, the narrative follows a socially awkward man who gets to live his dream with his colleague for just one day in Sapporo, Japan. The film is generating steady interest through its emotional soundtrack by Ram Sampath and strong early praise from Aamir Khan regarding the lead pair's performances. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Movie Name: Patriot Release Date: May 1, 2026 Language: Malayalam Director: Mahesh Narayanan This high-stakes spy thriller is breaking pre-sale records by reuniting industry titans Mammootty and Mohanlal after 13 years. Shot on a massive ₹140 crore budget across international locations, the film recorded an unprecedented 10.62K tickets booked in just one hour. Despite overseas pre-sales crossing $200,000, Mammootty has explicitly stated that the project is designed to set a new standard for Malayali cinema rather than simply chasing pan-India trends. Movie Name:Nooru Saamy Release Date: May 1, 2026 Language: Tamil Director: Sasi Reuniting actor-producer Vijay Antony with director Sasi nearly a decade after their hit Pichaikkaran, this film is described as a family biopic based on true events. The story explores a mother's unfulfilled desires and the bond with her son, aiming to capture the emotional audience segment. While the title draws inspiration from their previous collaboration, the director has clarified that this is a standalone story focused on grounded realism. Movie Name: Varavu Release Date: May 1, 2026 Language: Malayalam Director: Shaji Kailas This action-survival thriller marks the first collaboration between veteran director Shaji Kailas and Joju George. Set in the rugged hilly regions of Kerala, Joju plays a man on a quest for revenge against a power-ruled town. The film has gathered strong momentum online, with over 39,000 users marking themselves as interested on BookMyShow, signaling strong potential for a mass opening in the Kerala circuit.

From Housefull 2 To Bhooth Bangla: Every Akshay Kumar's Film To Enter 100 Crore India Net Club Bollywood
3.7K views

From Housefull 2 To Bhooth Bangla: Every Akshay Kumar's Film To Enter 100 Crore India Net Club

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 27 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is one of the most decorated Indian actors ever and has contributed so much to Indian cinema. From a young martial artist to the undisputed king of consistent box office returns, the Khiladi Kumar has redefined the stardom of his own in Indian cinema. While Akshay is yet to break into the coveted 500 crore club (solo), he has redefined the 100-Crore Club, not just for Bollywood but in Indian cinema also. As of April 2026, Kumar has officially delivered 20 films that have crossed the 100 crore net mark in India, a record-breaking feat for an Indian actor, followed by Salman Khan with 18 films. The Beginning: Breaking the Seal (2012) The 100 crore net journey for Akshay Kumar began in 2012 with the multi-starrer comedy Housefull 2. While Akshay was already a superstar, this film marked his entry into the elite 100-crore bracket, earning 112 crore. He quickly proved it wasn't a fluke by following it up just two months later with the action-packed Rowdy Rathore, which netted 133.25 crore. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The Golden Era: 2016–2019 The mid-to-late 2010s saw Akshay Kumar at his most prolific. He moved away from pure slapstick comedy and shifted toward social dramas and patriotic thrillers. He actually popularised the social dramas which used to be considered taboo, with films like Padman and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. In 2016, Akshay delivered a hat-trick of 100 crore hits with Airlift, Housefull 3, and Rustom. 2019, the Triple 200 year. This was arguably the greatest year in the actor's career. In a single calendar year, he delivered three films, Mission Mangal, Housefull 4, and Good Newwz, that didn't just cross 100 crore, but soared past the 200 crore net mark. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The Post-Pandemic Revival When the pandemic shuttered theatres, Akshay was the first big star to bring audiences back with Sooryavanshi (2021), which earned nearly 200 crore net during a time of limited seating capacity. Despite a brief lean period, his resurgence in 2025 and 2026 has been admirable. With the massive success of sequels like Housefull 5 and Jolly LLB 3, and his 20th-century hit, Bhooth Bangla (2026), he has solidified his reputation as the safest bet in the industry. A Star Beyond Box Office Successes In an era where most A-list superstars release one film every two to three years, Akshay Kumar operates on a different level in this regard. By releasing 3 to 4 films annually, he has been the primary provider of "content oxygen", especially in the post-pandemic era when theatres were going through a challenging phase. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) For theatre owners, a blockbuster provides a massive spike, but it is regularity that pays the bills. During dry spells when other stars are in hiding or in long production cycles, an Akshay Kumar film is always around the corner. When the industry was in fear in 2021, Akshay was the first to risk a big-budget release with Bell Bottom (despite 50% occupancy rules) and later Sooryavanshi. He paved the way for the reopening of the theatres during the health crisis. While critics and trade often point to his occasional box-office duds, the producers and exhibitors view them differently. A flop for Akshay still generates significant revenue through satellite rights, digital streaming, and music, often keeping the production ecosystem profitable even if the theatrical outcome is low. And at the same time, he generates a steady flow of footfalls in cinemas. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Akshay Kumar 100 Crore Net Films in India S. No. Movie Release Year India Net (Approx) 1 Housefull 2 2012 ₹ 112.00 Cr 2 Rowdy Rathore 2012 ₹ 133.25 Cr 3 Holiday 2014 ₹ 112.50 Cr 4 Airlift 2016 ₹ 128.10 Cr 5 Housefull 3 2016 ₹ 110.20 Cr 6 Rustom 2016 ₹ 127.50 Cr 7 Jolly LLB 2 2017 ₹ 117.00 Cr 8 Toilet: Ek Prem Katha 2017 ₹ 134.40 Cr 9 Gold 2018 ₹ 109.60 Cr 10 2.0 (Hindi) 2018 ₹ 188.25 Cr 11 Kesari 2019 ₹ 155.70 Cr 12 Mission Mangal 2019 ₹ 203.10 Cr 13 Housefull 4 2019 ₹ 210.30 Cr 14 Good Newwz 2019 ₹ 205.10 Cr 15 Sooryavanshi 2021 ₹ 195.50 Cr 16 OMG 2 2023 ₹ 151.15 Cr 17 Sky Force 2025 ₹ 113.60 Cr 18 Housefull 5 2025 ₹ 183.40 Cr 19 Jolly LLB 3 2025 ₹ 117.50 Cr 20 Bhooth Bangla 2026 ₹ 113.40 Cr As of April 26, 2026.

2027 Box Office Calendar Takes Shape: From Thalaivar 173 To Ramayana Part 2, Every Big Film Locked So Far Bollywood
1.5K views

2027 Box Office Calendar Takes Shape: From Thalaivar 173 To Ramayana Part 2, Every Big Film Locked So Far

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 27 - The 2027 theatrical calendar is steadily filling up, with several high-profile films already locking prime festive and holiday release windows. From Sankranti to Diwali, major stars and big-budget productions have strategically positioned themselves to capitalise on long weekends and nationwide holidays, setting the stage for an intense box office battle year. The year kicks off with a bang on Makar Sankranti with superstar Rajinikanth's Thalaivar 173, expected to be one of the biggest openers of the year. Just days later, the Republic Day weekend (January 21) will see long-delayed Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal's Love And War hit cinemas, ensuring a strong start to the year with back-to-back major releases. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) February continues the momentum as fantasy comedy Naagzilla, starring Kartik Aaryan, arrives during the Valentine's Day weekend (February 12), aiming to draw both mass and youth audiences. March is shaping up to be one of the most crowded periods, with the Eid weekend (March 5) witnessing a major clash between Prabhas' Spirit and Salman Khan's film with Vamshi Paidipally. The competition doesn't ease up, as John Abraham-led Force 3 is slated for March 19, keeping the box office buzzing through the month. Then comes April, when SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu's globetrotting adventure, Varanasi, is slated for release on April 7. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The summer season will be driven by the Jr. NTR's Dragon/NTRNeel with Prashanth Neel film, scheduled for June 11, a slot traditionally known for blockbuster performers. Meanwhile, the Independence Day weekend (August 13) is locked by Kartik Aaryan's Captain India, which is expected to benefit from patriotic fervour The biggest festival of the year, Diwali, will feature the highly anticipated Ramayana Part 2, positioning itself as a potential box office juggernaut. To close out the year, animated movie Mahavatar Parshuram, the second film in the Mahavatar Cinematic Universe, is slated for a December 2027 release, following the ground-breaking blockbuster, Mahavatar Narsimha. Apart from these confirmed releases, there are several other big-budget titles which will be debuting in 2027, including Allu Arjun's Raaka, Vicky Kaushal's Mahavatar, Balakrishna - Gopichand Malineni's film, Chiranjeevi - Bobby Project, and Venkatesh - Anil Ravipudi's film, among others.

Dhurandhar 2 Box Office Day 39: Secures 2nd Spot in Top 5 with Rs. 3.25 Cr Sunday; Just 11 Cr Away from Surpassing Baahubali 2 Worldwide by 7th Weekend Box Office
48.6K views

Dhurandhar 2 Box Office Day 39: Secures 2nd Spot in Top 5 with Rs. 3.25 Cr Sunday; Just 11 Cr Away from Surpassing Baahubali 2 Worldwide by 7th Weekend

BY SACNILK

Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge collected 3.25 crore nett approx on its sixth Sunday, bringing its total India net collection to 1,130.59 crore. With a worldwide gross currently standing at 1,777.52 crore, the film is now just 11 crore away from surpassing the 1,788.06 crore lifetime record of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. Once this gap is bridged, which is expected to happen by the end of its sixth week, the film will officially become the second highest-grossing Indian movie of all time globally, trailing only Dangal. The sixth weekend trajectory for Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has been exceptionally steady, with the film collecting 1.55 crore on Friday, 3.00 crore on Saturday, and 3.40 crore on Sunday across all languages. This 7.95 crore weekend total, which was driven by a 3.25 crore contribution from the Hindi version on Sunday, indicates a strong grip for a film in its thirty-ninth day. When compared to the 19.52 crore earned throughout the fifth week, the film is now on pace to wrap its sixth week in the range of 11 crore to 12 crore. Since the gap to surpass the 1,788.06 crore lifetime record of Baahubali 2 currently stands at approximately 10.50 crore, the definitive jump to become the second highest-grossing Indian film of all time is likely to occur by the end of the sixth week itself or by the dawn of the seventh weekend. The focus remains on the Monday hold; a collection staying above the 1 crore nett mark will ensure the milestone is breached before the next cycle begins. The focus remains on the Monday hold, where a collection above 1 crore nett is the benchmark required to keep the film on its record-breaking pace. Looking at the ticketing data, the sixth weekend saw a total of 157K tickets booked on BookMyShow, with 51.94K tickets sold on Sunday alone. The cumulative ticket sales on the platform have now reached a massive 1.79 Crore (17,996,590). For today, the national chains have recorded an advance of 6,200 tickets sold with a gross of 17 Lakhs across 1,400 shows. While the live morning collections are currently at 0.03 crore, the strength in the advance ticketing suggests that if the spot bookings pick up during the evening shows, the film can target that crucial 1 crore mark. Since the show count has naturally tightened to 350 shows in some regions while maintaining a larger presence in others, the maintenance of this occupancy will be vital to ensure the Baahubali 2 milestone is breached by the seventh weekend. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Top 5 Highest Day 39 Hindi Net CollectionsMOVIE NAMEDAY 39 NET COLLECTIONStree 2₹ 5.00 CrDhurandhar 2: The Revenge₹ 3.25 CrDhurandhar₹ 2.35 CrJawan₹ 2.09 CrPushpa: The Rule - Part 2₹ 2.08 Cr Analyzing the occupancy data, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge recorded an overall 29.34 per cent Hindi occupancy on Sunday, April 26. The film saw its strongest performance in the afternoon shows at 42.91 per cent and evening shows at 38.94 per cent. While it remains behind the record-holding 5.00 crore collection of Stree 2, which had a 33.28 per cent occupancy on its thirty-ninth day, it has successfully pulled ahead of Jawan and Pushpa 2, which earned 2.09 crore and 2.08 crore respectively. The surge from 3.00 crore on Saturday to 3.25 crore on Sunday indicates that audiences are still frequenting the nearly 3,000 shows currently playing across India. Basically, the sixth weekend has provided the necessary cushion to target the all-time number two spot globally. The upcoming weekday holds will determine whether the film finishes its run closer to the 1,800 crore mark or pushes even higher. If the film continues to sustain with drops of less than 15 per cent day-on-day, there is a clear path to adding another 20-25 crore to its final total. For now, the focus remains on the immediate 11 crore gap, which by natural course of trajectory is expected to be bridged by the time the film completes its seventh weekend. Crossing this threshold will officially cement Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge as the second biggest Indian film in history, trailing only Dangal on the worldwide stage.

Bhooth Bangla 10-Day Box Office Analysis: With a Massive 87% Weekend Jump, Can Akshay Kumar's Original Brand Topple the Bhool Bhulaiyaa Sequel Juggernaut? Box Office
13.8K views

Bhooth Bangla 10-Day Box Office Analysis: With a Massive 87% Weekend Jump, Can Akshay Kumar's Original Brand Topple the Bhool Bhulaiyaa Sequel Juggernaut?

BY SACNILK

Bhooth Bangla marks a pivotal homecoming for Akshay Kumar, signaling his high-stakes return to the horror-comedy arena—a genre he essentially architected nearly two decades ago. While the industry spent years debating whether the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise could sustain its momentum without its original star, Kartik Aaryan's two massive sequels appeared to have settled the score, until the reunion of the Akshay-Priyadarshan duo reset the benchmark. The narrative has now shifted from a simple clash of numbers to a deeper analysis of brand longevity; it is a question of whether the classic Priyadarshan style of situational humor and rooted folklore can outshine the high-gloss, VFX-driven sequels that have dominated the modern box office. Bhooth Bangla has wrapped its first ten days with a solid performance, especially when viewed through the lens of Akshay Kumar's recent theatrical run. Collecting 113.40 crore nett in India and 179.48 crore gross worldwide, the film has officially become Akshay's 20th entry into the 100 crore club. However, when placed side-by-side with the Bhool Bhulaiyaa sequels, the trajectory reveals a fascinating split between domestic pull and overseas stardom. While Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 remains the undisputed leader in terms of sheer domestic volume, Bhooth Bangla is putting up a fierce fight against the benchmarks set by Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. 10-Day Box Office Comparison: The Battle of BrandsMOVIE NAMEINDIA NET (10 DAYS)WORLDWIDE GROSS (10 DAYS)OVERSEAS GROSS (10 DAYS)Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3₹ 199.00 Cr₹ 314.80 Cr₹ 76.00 CrBhool Bhulaiyaa 2₹ 122.69 Cr₹ 174.00 Cr₹ 30.00 CrBhooth Bangla₹ 113.40 Cr₹ 179.48 Cr₹ 44.50 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Analyzing the trends, it is evident that Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 benefited immensely from the established Manjulika legacy and a festive release window, allowing it to nearly double the opening week numbers of its predecessor. Bhooth Bangla, on the other hand, is carving its path as an original story. Despite having a lower India net than Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 at the 10-day mark, Bhooth Bangla has actually surpassed it in the worldwide gross category. This is largely driven by a superior overseas performance, where Akshay Kumar’s NRI fan base has contributed 44.50 crore compared to the 30 crore managed by Kartik’s second installment in the same period. The sustainability of Bhooth Bangla is the real story here, evidenced by the film mirroring the trajectory of a classic word-of-mouth hit. After maintaining a steady 5.75 crore on its second Friday, the movie showed a massive 87 per cent jump on its second Saturday to collect 10.75 crore, a trend rarely seen in recent mid-budget releases. This surge allowed the film to officially breach the 100 crore net mark in India by Day 9, indicating that the audience is reacting positively to Priyadarshan’s shift from the psychological thriller roots of the original Bhool Bhulaiyaa to a more folklore-heavy, fantasy-horror approach. While Kartik's sequels leaned into high-energy slapstick and VFX-heavy climaxes, Priyadarshan has doubled down on situational comedy and local superstitions, creating a distinct identity for his new venture that is clearly resonating with the family audience. Looking at the natural course of trajectory, Bhooth Bangla is exhibiting a steady hold that mirrors successful word-of-mouth hits. By collecting 12.50 crore on its tenth day, it has shown better late-week endurance than many recent sequels. If the film continues this momentum through the second week , it is on course to reach a 145 crore to 155 crore India net lifetime total. This would comfortably place it in the HIT category, marking a significant recovery for Akshay Kumar. The final verdict on whether Akshay Kumar can officially outshine the Kartik Aaryan sequels hinges on the film's ability to navigate a massive competitive hurdle arriving in just a few days. While Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 capitalized on a higher initial peak, Bhooth Bangla is currently at a crucial crossroad as it prepares for the high-stakes release of Raja Shivaji on May 1. The real test for the Priyadarshan-directed entertainer lies in the pace at which it can maintain occupancy while inevitably entering a phase where screen space will be shared with this major new arrival. To make a definitive prediction for the final lifetime closing, it will be essential to observe how the movie sustains its grip on the box office during this immediate transition. If Bhooth Bangla can hold steady despite the inevitable crunch in screens, it will prove that the legacy brand of the original has the internal strength to survive the momentum of modern sequels.