BY SUNIT JANGIR

Kochi, May 13 - The makers of Drishyam 3 are planning a historic release strategy for the film, with the Mohanlal starrer set to get one of the biggest pan-India rollouts ever for a Malayalam movie. Recent reports confirm that the thriller will release not only in Malayalam but also in dubbed versions across multiple languages, while a separate Hindi adaptation is already in the works with major changes tailored for the North Indian audience. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to producers Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak, the Malayalam version of the film will release in over 500 screens outside Kerala, with the number potentially going as high as 800-900 screens depending on exhibitor demand. The makers described it as the biggest pan-India release ever for a Malayalam film, highlighting the massive anticipation surrounding the return of Georgekutty. The film stars Mohanlal in the iconic role of Georgekutty, with Jeethu Joseph once again directing the franchise. Reports also confirm that the movie will simultaneously release in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada dubbed versions alongside the Malayalam original, significantly expanding its reach beyond the Kerala market. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Meanwhile, the Hindi adaptation of Drishyam 3 starring Ajay Devgn is being developed separately and will not completely mirror the Malayalam version. The first two Drishyam films were scene-to-scene remakes of the original Malayalam versions and were massive box office successes. Now, the makers are going with a separate version for Hindi, which will be interesting to see. The buzz surrounding the Malayalam film is already extraordinary ahead of release. Advance bookings for the Malayalam version have reportedly opened with a bang, both in Kerala and overseas markets, indicating massive audience interest in the third chapter of the blockbuster franchise.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Bhooth Bangla is proving that the horror-comedy genre has a very deep reservoir of audience interest, even as it nears the end of its first month in theatres. On its 26th day, which fell on a Tuesday, the film netted 1.70 crore across the domestic market. What is particularly interesting here is the 26 per cent jump in collections compared to Monday's haul of 1.35 crore. This kind of mid-week growth in the fourth week is a clear indicator that the film is running on a sustained rhythm rather than just early momentum. To put this performance into perspective, this Tuesday's haul has placed the project at the 16th spot among the top 50 highest Day 26 collections in Hindi cinema history. It has managed to outpace several massive hits within the same genre. Specifically, it moved past the Day 26 numbers of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which earned 1.29 crore, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which stood at 1.10 crore. Even the original Stree, which was known for its incredible endurance, recorded a lower 0.87 crore on its 26th day. This comparison highlights just how robust the current run has been for this latest instalment. The film's performance today has earned it a spot among the all-time greats, as it now ranks 18th in the list of the highest Day 26 collections in Indian cinema history. Check out the Top 50 Day 26 Box Office Collections here This steady flow of interest is clearly reflected in the digital bookings as well. On BookMyShow, the film recorded approximately 35 thousand ticket sales for the day, bringing its total ticket tally on the platform to over 3 million since its release. With 4,059 shows still running across India, the movie has managed to reach a domestic net total of 161.80 crore. This translates to an India gross of 191.90 crore, showing that the movie remains a significant contributor to the theatrical ecosystem nearly a month after its debut. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The major national multiplex chains continue to act as a steady fuel source for these earnings. On Tuesday, PVR led the contributions with approximately 7.6 thousand tickets sold. INOX followed with about 4.9 thousand, and Cinepolis chipped in with roughly 3 thousand tickets. When you look at the combined total of over 15 thousand tickets from these three major chains, it is evident that urban centers are still providing a healthy flow of patrons. This steady participation from premium venues is what allows the film to maintain a respectable average despite being in its fourth week. Looking at specific regions like the National Capital Region (NCR), the performance is quite granular. With nearly 500 shows running in this belt alone, the overall occupancy stood at a healthy 19.3 percent. Interestingly, the interest peaked during the night shows at 24 percent, while the morning shows started at a modest 10 percent. This late-day surge is a typical trend for horror-themed films, where the evening atmosphere often draws in a larger crowd looking for a communal viewing experience. On the international front, the film is wrapping up its run with a smaller but consistent contribution, adding 0.05 crore on its 26th day. This takes the total overseas bounty to 53.20 crore. When we consolidate the domestic gross and international receipts, the worldwide gross collection has now climbed to 245.10 crore. The film is now essentially on a final dash toward the 250 crore milestone globally, a figure that cements its status as a major commercial winner. Ultimately, the logic behind these numbers suggests that Bhooth Bangla has tapped into a demographic that values theatrical longevity over a front-loaded opening. By consistently outperforming established benchmarks in its fourth week, the film has secured its place as a reliable performer. As the theatrical window begins to narrow, the focus will be on how much further it can push its lifetime record before making its digital transition.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

As we stand just 48 hours away from the theatrical release of Aakhri Sawal, the spotlight is firmly on the national capital today. According to reports by Bollywood Hungama, the makers are hosting a grand premiere this Wednesday evening, May 13. This is far from a standard film industry event; the guest list is expected to be a heavy-hitting mix of senior politicians, top bureaucrats, and other administrative dignitaries. By choosing Delhi for such a high-profile gathering today, the production team is clearly looking to generate a strong ripple effect through the country's social and political nerve center ahead of the nationwide rollout this Friday, May 15. The choice of venue and the guest list align perfectly with the film's subject matter. Directed by National Award-winner Abhijeet Mohan Warang, the movie takes a cinematic look into the history of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Given the deep roots of the organization, the presence of administrative and political figures at the premiere is likely to turn the event into a major talking point across social and news circles. It appears the strategy is to move beyond the traditional film-buff audience and tap into a broader national conversation. Sanjay Dutt, who both stars in and produces the film alongside Nikhil Nanda, is currently carrying significant momentum at the box office. His involvement comes on the heels of the highly successful Dhurandhar duology, which has likely provided the necessary financial cushion and audience goodwill for a film of this scale. While the project was originally slated for a May 8 release, the one-week postponement to May 15 seems to have been a calculated move. This extra window has allowed the makers to fine-tune their strategy and ensure the Delhi premiere acts as the primary ignition for the film’s theatrical run. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) One aspect of Aakhri Sawal that is drawing genuine praise from industry observers is its focus on inclusivity. In a landmark move for Indian cinema, this will be the first Hindi feature film to be made available in Indian Sign Language. By incorporating this feature, the team is effectively expanding the film's accessibility, allowing a much wider demographic to experience the narrative. This initiative, coupled with the hard-hitting trailer that sparked conversations earlier this month, has added a layer of social equity to the project that goes beyond mere entertainment. From a technical and administrative standpoint, the film has already cleared its final hurdles. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has granted the movie a UA 16+ certificate as of May 12, indicating that the content is geared toward a mature audience that can engage with its historical and political nuances. The film features a strong ensemble cast, including Amit Sadh, Namashi Chakraborty, Sameera Reddy, and Tridha Choudhury, bringing together a mix of seasoned talent and fresh energy under the PVR INOX Pictures distribution banner. The creative blueprint for the film is backed by a solid team, with the story and screenplay penned by Utkarsh Naithani. On the production side, the project sees a collaborative effort from Puneet Nanda, Dr. Deepak Singh, Gaurav Dubey, and Ujjwal Anand. With the combination of a high-stakes premiere, a unique accessibility milestone, and the star power of Sanjay Dutt, the film is positioning itself as more than just a Friday release. As we wait for the first reactions from the Delhi premiere, the industry is closely watching to see how this historical narrative resonates with both the dignitaries in attendance and the general public.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, May 13 - The birthday celebration of Jr. NTR is set to become a massive event for fans this year, with multiple high-profile announcements planned for May 20. From the much-awaited glimpse of Dragon to the first major update from Devara Part 2, the actor's lineup has already created huge anticipation across social media. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The biggest attraction among the birthday releases will be the glimpse of Dragon a.k.a NTRNeel, directed by Prashanth Neel. The film marks the first collaboration between the actor and the filmmaker, making it one of the most anticipated pan-Indian projects in production. Fans are eagerly waiting to see Jr. NTR's intense new avatar in the special birthday glimpse. The movie has been confirmed for a June 11, 2027, release. Apart from Dragon, the announcement of the much-awaited God of War is set to be made on the superstar's birthday. It is said that director Trivikram Srinivas and his team have started working on a grand announcement video for May 20th. God of War is about Lord Murugan, and the team is excited to begin work on it. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Another major surprise arriving on May 20 will be a brand-new poster from Devara: Part 2. Amid the uncertainty about the sequel's future, reports say that the makers are determined to make it, and they will officially confirm with a new poster on the actor's birthday. With three major updates arriving together, Jr. NTR's birthday is expected to dominate entertainment headlines and social media trends. From powerful glimpses to exciting posters, May 20 is shaping up to be a celebration packed with surprises for the actor's fans.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart is showing a surprising amount of stamina as it completes its sixth day at the box office. This Tuesday, the film netted 1.85 crore in India, which is a significant figure given the usual weekday trajectory. What stands out is the 37 percent growth compared to Monday’s net collection of 1.35 crore. Seeing an upward trend of this scale on a Tuesday is a rarity, suggesting that the film is picking up momentum through positive word-of-mouth as it nears the end of its first week. A closer look at the theatrical footprint reveals that the film is currently the primary choice for moviegoers in the national multiplex chains. It holds the number one rank in terms of ticket sales within these major circuits. On Tuesday alone, the combined sales from PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis reached approximately 27.7 thousand tickets. To break it down, PVR led the contribution with 12.9 thousand tickets, followed by INOX with 9.2 thousand and Cinepolis with 5.6 thousand. This steady participation from premium urban venues has been a key factor in keeping the daily run-rate healthy. The digital engagement on BookMyShow further confirms this upward trend. The platform recorded 53.42 thousand tickets on Tuesday, which is a noticeable climb from Monday 44.04 thousand. Since its release, the film has seen a consistent build-up in digital sales. Starting with a modest 5 thousand in pre-sales and 14.18 thousand on Thursday, it spiked during the weekend with 63.87 thousand on Saturday and 71.32 thousand on Sunday. With the Friday contribution of 28.97 thousand, the cumulative ticket sales on the platform have now reached an impressive 280K. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) When we examine the linguistic performance, the Hindi market remains the heavy lifter for this project. Out of the 1.85 crore earned on Tuesday, the Hindi version accounted for 1.70 crore, operating at a very healthy 33 percent occupancy across 1,999 shows. The Telugu version chipped in with 0.12 crore from 160 shows, while the Tamil market contributed 0.03 crore from 49 shows. Over the six-day period, the Hindi version has amassed a total net of 9.82 crore, while Telugu and Tamil have brought in 0.56 crore and 0.19 crore respectively. The overall financial status of the film has now officially crossed into double-digit territory. With the Tuesday collection factored in, the total India net collection stands at 10.57 crore, which translates to a domestic gross of 12.52 crore. While the opening phase was gradual, the consistent occupancy levels—averaging 31.9 percent across 2,208 shows on Tuesday—indicate that the film is effectively consolidating its position as it approaches the end of its first six days in theaters. Ultimately, the logic behind these numbers suggests that Krishnavataram Part 1 is benefiting from a lack of major competition and a steady interest in the heart-focused narrative. By maintaining a 37 percent growth on a Tuesday and securing the top spot in national chains, the film has successfully navigated the typical Monday dip. As it prepares to complete its first week, the focus will be on whether this momentum can carry over into the second weekend to solidify its status at the box office.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

If you have been following the buzz around Suriya's latest outing, Karuppu, the advance booking numbers suggest a project that is finding a solid footing ahead of its release. Directed by RJ Balaji and produced by Dream Warrior Pictures, the film has managed to secure a significant theatrical window. In a major move to accommodate the anticipated rush, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has approved special 9 AM shows for the first two days, May 14 and 15, giving the film a much-needed headstart in its home territory. While the advance numbers for Karuppu are promising, they are being measured against a very high bar set earlier this year. Currently, Parasakthi holds the record for the biggest opening day of the year in Tamil Nadu, having netted 12.50 crore on its first day across 3,603 shows. That translated to a domestic gross of 14.50 crore. For Karuppu to claim the top spot, it will need to leverage its higher show count of 4,384 and the approved special shows to bridge that gap. Surpassing the benchmark set by Parasakthi remains the primary challenge as the film heads into its release day. Looking at the domestic financial haul, Karuppu has already amassed approximately 3.00 crore in advance booking gross across India. When you factor in blocked seats, that figure stretches to 5.59 crore. The Tamil version is clearly doing the heavy lifting here, contributing 2.85 crore of that total. With 177,660 tickets already sold for the first day across 3,809 shows in the Tamil 2D format, the movie is entering the box office with a healthy reservoir of pre-release interest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The regional distribution shows a strong preference in major hubs. Chennai remains the focal point, contributing 1.18 crore with a 29 percent occupancy rate across 718 shows. If we look at the broader Tamil Nadu landscape, the film has secured 2.35 crore in gross bookings with a 17 percent real occupancy. Neighboring markets are also chipping in, with Coimbatore adding 28.85 lakh and Bengaluru's Tamil version bringing in 24.31 lakh. Beyond the primary state, Kerala and Karnataka have added 20.89 lakh and 27.19 lakh respectively, ensuring the film has a balanced footprint across the South. While the Tamil version dominates, the Telugu market is also beginning to register. The aggregate Telugu 2D bookings stand at 14.38 lakh from 575 shows. A closer look at the Telugu-speaking regions reveals that Hyderabad is leading the pack with 6.73 lakh. Other contributors include Warangal at 54.29 thousand, Vijayawada at 39.15 thousand, and Vizag at 24.59 thousand. Though occupancy rates in these regions are currently modest—hovering around 6 percent in Hyderabad—the sheer number of cities, including Guntur, Karimnagar, and Mahbubnagar, indicates a wide release strategy that could see a boost once the early reviews are out. The digital footprint on BookMyShow has shown an aggressive upward curve over the last few days. Starting with 13.42 thousand tickets on May 10, the bookings jumped to 31.72 thousand on May 11, and then skyrocketed to 74.09 thousand by May 12. This brings the cumulative BMS sales to 119.23 thousand tickets. Even within the day, the pace is quick; between 1 PM and 2 PM today, the platform sold over 4.3 thousand tickets, contributing to a total of 22.34 thousand tickets sold since 7 AM this morning. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) To stay updated with the live trends and final numbers from the pre-sales period, you can check the full report here: Karuppu 2026 First Day Advance Booking Report. The national multiplex chains are also providing a steady stream of revenue. For the opening weekend, the cumulative ticket sales across PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis have reached a solid 84.5 thousand as of 3 pm on May 13. Breaking this down by day, the release day (Thursday) has booked 44.9 thousand tickets. Friday follows with 15.1 thousand, Saturday with 13.1 thousand, and Sunday with 11.4 thousand. Within these chains, PVR is the primary driver, accounting for over 31.8 thousand tickets for the opening day alone, reflecting a 30 percent occupancy rate in their screens. On the international front, the North American market is showing a more cautious start with total premiere advance sales standing at 18 thousand dollars, which is approximately 15.12 lakh in Indian currency. When you factor in the combined opening day bookings, the total North American tally reaches 32 thousand dollars, or about 26.88 lakh. Looking specifically at the USA premieres, the film has secured 6,717 dollars (around 5.64 lakh) from 468 tickets sold across 30 locations. While these figures have been somewhat affected by late premiere start times, the project still maintains a visible presence in major states like California and Texas as it prepares for its global rollout. Ultimately, Karuppu is heading into its release with a domestic ticket tally of over 188 thousand across 4,384 shows. By securing special shows and maintaining a high volume of shows in its primary language, the film has created a sturdy foundation. While the overseas and Telugu markets are still warming up, the sheer dominance in Tamil Nadu suggests that the film has enough fuel to ensure a respectable opening weekend at the box office.