BY CHRISTA LINCY

Ram Charan is set to headline director Buchi Babu Sana's upcoming period sports drama, tentatively titled Peddi. The film has officially locked June 25, 2026, for its theatrical release in India, arriving as a major mid-year cinematic event. This project marks a significant step for the actor as it prepares for a global rollout with high production values. The narrative of the film has become a major talking point among fans and trade experts alike. While the project was long rumored to be a pure cricket-based drama, a recent birthday teaser provided a massive surprise by revealing Ram Charan in a powerhouse avatar as Peddi Pehelwan, a formidable wrestler. This revelation has sparked intense speculation that the actor might be essaying a dual role—possibly a father who was a legendary wrestler and a son who pursues cricket. Set against the rustic backdrop of the 1980s Uttarandhra region, the story follows a spirited villager who leverages sports as a tool to unite his community and take a stand against an oppressive rival force. To bring this 1980s world to life, the production house has spared no expense, working with a humongous budget of approximately ₹300 crore. A significant portion of this investment has gone into creating a meticulous, large-scale replica of 1980s Vizianagaram near Hyderabad. The set is reported to be an architectural marvel, complete with a vintage railway station, old-world marketplaces, and a massive sports stadium designed to reflect the era's aesthetic. This attention to detail suggests that Buchi Babu Sana is aiming for a grounded yet visually spectacular experience that will transport audiences back in time. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The business side of Peddi has already started creating records even before the completion of the shoot. In a landmark deal for a solo Ram Charan film, the digital streaming giant Netflix has reportedly acquired the post-theatrical rights for a staggering sum ranging between ₹105 crore and ₹130 crore. On the musical front, the collaboration with Academy Award-winner A.R. Rahman has already yielded gold. The first single, Chikiri Chikiri, has turned into a pan-Indian chartbuster, amassing over 200 million views across various social media and music platforms, setting the perfect stage for the film’s marketing campaign. As the film prepares for its global assault, the premiere strategy has also been outlined. According to reports from Venky Box Office, the overseas premieres are currently targeting Wednesday, June 24, 2026. This will lead into a grand theatrical release in India on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The decision to opt for a Wednesday premiere abroad is a strategic move to secure maximum allocations for IMAX and Premium Large Formats (PLFs) before the weekend rush. However, due to a packed schedule of Hollywood studio releases during that period, these high-end screen allocations will likely be limited primarily to the premiere day and the opening Thursday, making the initial shows a high-priority event for the global audience.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, April 24 - Superstar Shah Rukh Khan-fronted action thriller King has reconfirmed its Christmas 2026 theatrical release, locking in one of the most lucrative windows in global cinema. The film is set to arrive in cinemas on December 24, 2026, positioning itself as a massive year-end spectacle aimed at both domestic and international audiences. A Grand Festive Release Strategy (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Mounted on a massive scale, the Siddharth Anand's directorial is being developed as a pan-India and globally appealing action entertainer. The film features a strong ensemble cast, including Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Arshad Warsi, and Abhay Varma, among others, in key roles. The Christmas corridor has traditionally been one of the most profitable release periods, driven by holiday crowds, family audiences, and strong overseas turnout. By securing this date, the makers are clearly aiming to capitalise on peak theatrical demand and maximise worldwide collections. Clash With Hollywood Titans (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) While the festive timing offers huge advantages, it also brings intense competition. The Christmas window is often crowded with major Hollywood tentpole releases, including franchise blockbusters and big-budget spectacles that dominate global screens. Currently, Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday and Warner Bros. Pictures' Dune 3 are scheduled for December 18, a week before King begins its rollout. Additionally, there is Dwayne Johnson's Jumanji: Open World slated to hit the big screens on December 25, making it a crowded period. With King entering this space, it sets the stage for a high-stakes box office clash as all three Hollywood films carry huge potential at the Indian box office on top of their global dominance. King will rely on Shah Rukh Khan's immense national and international fanbase. The holiday period ensures strong footfalls, but it also intensifies the competition for screens and audience attention. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Massive Pre-Release Buzz King has generated significant buzz within the industry. The film is reportedly being made on a budget in the 350–400 crore range, making it one of the most expensive Indian productions. Additionally, it has already reportedly secured a major distribution deal in India worth around 250 crore, highlighting strong confidence from exhibitors and distributors. The reconfirmation of King's Christmas 2026 release firmly establishes it as one of the most anticipated Indian films of the year. With Shah Rukh Khan leading the charge and Siddharth Anand donning the director's hat, the film is aiming for nothing short of worldwide box office dominance.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Indian box office is gearing up for what could be the most significant month in theatrical history as March 2027 approaches. Rebel Star Prabhas and Megastar Salman Khan are set to headline two massive pan-Indian projects, creating a release schedule that closely mirrors the legendary box office period of July 2015. With Prabhas' Spirit and Salman Khan's SVC63 locked for the same window, the trade is anticipating a level of theatrical footfalls that has not been seen in the modern era. The upcoming showdown brings back memories of the one-week gap between Baahubali: The Beginning (July 10, 2015) and Bajrangi Bhaijaan (July 17, 2015). That period is considered a gold standard for theatrical co-existence, where two films managed to expand the market simultaneously. Interestingly, both 2015 blockbusters were written by V. Vijayendra Prasad, the father of director S.S. Rajamouli. While Baahubali sold roughly 50 million tickets across India, Bajrangi Bhaijaan dominated the Hindi belt with 35.5 million tickets. Despite fears that Salman's film would halt Baahubali's run, both movies crossed the ₹500 crore mark globally during their initial runs, proving that the audience had an appetite for both regional epics and commercial Hindi giants. Leading the charge in March 2027 is Spirit, starring Prabhas and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Officially scheduled for a worldwide release on March 5, 2027, this marks the first collaboration between the actor and the director. Produced by Bhushan Kumar under T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures, the film is expected to be a high-octane, gritty actioner. The release has been strategically timed to benefit from a long theatrical window, with Eid falling around its seventh day and Holi around its eighteenth day. Alongside Prabhas, the film features Triptii Dimri as the female lead, with Vivek Oberoi, Prakash Raj, and Kanchana in pivotal roles. The film is planning a massive multi-language release, including a reported theatrical run in China. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Just weeks later, Salman Khan is set to take over the screens with his Eid 2027 release, SVC63. The project has generated massive buzz as it marks the first pairing of Salman Khan with the Lady Superstar Nayanthara. Directed by National Award-winner Vamshi Paidipally and produced by Dil Raju, the film officially began production on April 18, 2026, in Mumbai. This marks a significant milestone as it is Salman's first collaboration with the legendary South Indian producer Dil Raju. The film features a high-profile ensemble cast including Anil Kapoor, Arvind Swamy, Paresh Rawal, and Rajpal Yadav, positioning it as a true pan-Indian entertainer aimed at capturing both the North and South Indian markets. The excitement for SVC63 has reached a fever pitch following its grand muhurat ceremony in Mumbai on April 18, 2026, which marked the official start of production. This project is a significant milestone for director Vamshi Paidipally; although he is a National Award-winner known for South Indian blockbusters like Maharshi and Varisu, SVC63 marks his first major foray into Hindi-language cinema. By bringing together Salman Khan and Lady Superstar Nayanthara under the legendary Sri Venkateswara Creations banner, producer Dil Raju is ensuring that the film has the scale and technical finesse required to dominate the pan-Indian market during the Eid 2027 window. The synergy between these two releases is expected to replicate the success of 2015. While Spirit will have a two-week head start to dominate the box office and tap into the early March holidays, Salman Khan's SVC63 will arrive to capitalize on the massive Eid festivities. In 2015, Baahubali set a record for the highest footfalls for a dubbed film in the Hindi market (1.5 crore tickets), while Bajrangi Bhaijaan drew over 20 million people in its opening week alone. If the current momentum for Spirit and SVC63 holds, March 2027 could very well see both films surpassing the ₹1000 crore mark globally, cementing this as the second coming of the Baahubali-Bajrangi era.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, April 24 - The much-anticipated musical biopic Michael, based on the life of King of Pop, Michael Jackson, has begun its box office run on a promising note, registering solid numbers in paid previews across India and North America. Michael had its paid previews in India on Thursday, and the response was solid. Despite competition from local releases and IPL matches, the film minted around 2 crore gross in previews at the Indian box office. This has set the tone for a solid opening weekend, which is expected to be around 20 crores gross. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, who is the real-life nephew of Michael Jackson, Michael could achieve back-to-back Hollywood success in India after sci-fi space movie, Project Hail Mary, which has minted around 80 crores gross collection so far. Meanwhile, the film has scored solid previews at the domestic (North America) box office with $12.5 million - $13.5 million, which is the best ever for a musical biopic, as per Deadline. The trade is now projecting the opening weekend to be a record $80+ million in North America. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Michael released amid the wrath of critics who are bashing the film for whitewashing Michael Jackson's controversial life. The movie currently has 40% ratings 163 critics' reviews on Rotten Tomatoes after opening to just 27%. But contrary to what critics are saying, Michael has managed to click with all important audiences with an excellent 96% Rotten Tomatoes score.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The legendary saga of Georgekutty is all set to return on an unprecedented scale. In what is being hailed as one of the most significant collaborations in Indian cinema, Pen Studios has officially come on board to back the much-anticipated Malayalam film Drishyam 3. Jayantilal Gada's PEN Studios will be investing a massive ₹100 crore in Aashirvad Cinemas through Panorama Studios, marking one of the largest single-film investments by a North Indian production house into the Malayalam film industry. This strategic partnership between Antony Perumbavoor, Kumar Mangat Pathak, and Jayantilal Gada signals that Drishyam 3 is no longer just a regional sequel but is being positioned as a true Pan-Indian event. While the previous two installments set new benchmarks for the thriller genre, the third part aims to take the franchise to a global audience with a high-budget production and a wider theatrical footprint across multiple languages. The previous installment, Drishyam 2, made massive headlines during the height of the pandemic when it opted for a direct-to-digital premiere. Released on February 19, 2021, the sequel skipped a theatrical run and arrived directly on Amazon Prime Video. Produced on a modest budget of roughly ₹20 crore, the film proved to be an exceptionally profitable venture. Amazon Prime Video reportedly acquired the digital rights for a then-record-breaking deal of ₹30 crore. When combined with the satellite rights sold to Asianet for ₹15 crore, the film generated substantial revenue, eventually becoming one of the most-watched Malayalam titles on the streaming platform. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The makers have also locked a special date for the grand arrival of the film. Drishyam 3 is officially scheduled to hit the big screens on May 21, 2026. This date holds immense significance as it coincides with the 66th birthday of the Complete Actor, Mohanlal. By choosing his birthday for the release, the producers are ensuring a massive festive opening fueled by fan celebrations and nostalgia for the most successful thriller franchise in Indian cinema history. While the exact plot details for the upcoming film are being kept under wraps to preserve the franchise's signature suspense, Drishyam 3 is confirmed to be the final chapter of the saga. The story is set to take place roughly four-and-a-half years after the events of the second installment. Director Jeethu Joseph has indicated that this sequel will move away from the legal complexities of the previous movie to focus on a more psychological thriller approach. The narrative will explore the internal cracks within the George family as they buckle under the decade-long weight of their secret. As Georgekutty faces a new, more organized investigation that threatens his perfect cover-up, the plot is expected to deliver a definitive conclusion to his battle against the law and the Prabhakar family. Directed by the master storyteller Jeethu Joseph, the film is expected to pick up from where the second part left the audience in suspense. While the core cast including Meena, Ansiba Hassan, and Esther Anil is expected to return to complete the family unit, there is immense curiosity regarding the new additions to the cast. The Drishyam franchise has already seen successful remakes in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and even Chinese, making the third part the most awaited conclusion in recent times.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Ranveer Singh starrer Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge continues its historic run at the box office, wrapping up its fifth week on a very strong note. The spy action thriller added another Rs. 19.42 crore to its Hindi net collection during its fifth week, showing remarkable holding power despite several new releases. The film started the week with Rs. 2.70 crore on Friday and saw a significant jump over the weekend, collecting Rs. 4.65 crore on Saturday and Rs. 5.20 crore on Sunday. The total India net collection for the film now stands at a massive Rs. 1,122.54 crore. With this, the movie has officially been crowned an ALL-TIME BLOCKBUSTER. The worldwide gross has reached a staggering Rs. 1,766.12 crore, fueled by a robust overseas contribution of Rs. 422.50 crore. The fifth-week performance has allowed Dhurandhar 2 to surpass several major records, making its way into the elite list of highest fifth-week earners in the history of Hindi cinema. In terms of ticket sales, the movie has maintained a steady pace in the national chains. During the fifth week, the film sold a total of 1.63 lakh tickets across major multiplexes. The daily breakdown for national chains saw a peak on Sunday with 46,400 tickets sold, while Saturday recorded 35,700 tickets. Even on weekdays, the film managed to stay relevant with sales like 34,600 tickets on Tuesday, showcasing the strong word-of-mouth that is still driving audiences to the theaters. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) On the digital front, BookMyShow has recorded phenomenal numbers for the Ranveer Singh starrer. By the end of its fifth week, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has sold approximately 17.84 million (1.78 crore) tickets on the platform alone. This puts it in the second spot for all-time highest ticket sales on BookMyShow, trailing only behind Pushpa 2: The Rule, which stands at 20.08 million. The massive footfalls confirm that the film is not just relying on higher ticket pricing but is a genuine mass phenomenon. The Ranveer Singh starrer has maintained a rock-solid trend throughout its theatrical journey. After a humongous opening week, the drop in collections has been well-contained, ensuring the film reached elite milestones with ease. Here is a look at the week-wise net collection breakdown of the film so far: Week 1 Collection: ₹ 674.17 Cr Week 2 Collection: ₹ 263.65 Cr Week 3 Collection: ₹ 110.60 Cr Week 4 Collection: ₹ 54.70 Cr Week 5 Collection: ₹ 19.42 Cr With a cumulative India gross of Rs. 1,343.62 crore, the film's trajectory remains highly impressive. While it is expected to see a reduction in screens in the coming weeks due to new releases, its ability to hold nearly 40 percent of its previous week's momentum suggests it will continue to add to its massive total. The movie has successfully managed to stay ahead of several classic blockbusters in its fifth-week run, outperforming titles like URI: The Surgical Strike and Baahubali 2 in this specific window. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Top 5 Highest 5th Week Collection - Hindi NetRANKMOVIE NAME5TH WEEK NET (HINDI)1Dhurandhar₹ 51.25 Cr2Chhaava₹ 30.05 Cr3Stree 2₹ 24.65 Cr4Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge₹ 19.42 Cr5URI: The Surgical Strike₹ 18.74 Cr Total Box Office BreakDown - Dhurandhar 2: The RevengeCATEGORYCOLLECTIONIndia Net₹ 1,122.54 CrIndia Gross₹ 1,343.62 CrOverseas Gross₹ 422.50 CrWorldwide Total₹ 1,766.12 Cr

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Prabhas starrer Darling has registered a massive start at the box office with its 4K re-release. The romantic entertainer, originally released on April 23, 2010, collected Rs. 7.59 crore gross worldwide on its first day. With these numbers, it has become the second-highest opening day for a Telugu re-release, following only the record set by Baahubali: The Beginning. The film managed to surpass the opening day collections of recent major re-releases like Gabbar Singh 4K and Khaleja 4K, solidifying Prabhas' position as the biggest superstar of the Telugu film industry today. The momentum for this re-run was evident right from the moment advance bookings opened on April 17, where roughly 39,500 tickets were sold instantly. The film generated a historic buzz by raking in approximately ₹3 crore in advance bookings gross alone before the first show even commenced. All-India advance sales for Day 1 comfortably crossed the ₹2.8 crore mark, with more than 2 lakh tickets sold across a massive footprint of over 1,300 shows. In the capital city of Hyderabad, the craze reached a fever pitch as over 25,000 tickets were sold within a matter of hours. A closer look at the digital ticket sales reveals the sheer magnitude of the Prabhas brand. On BookMyShow alone, Darling sold a massive 154,000 tickets in pre-sales. To put this into perspective, this figure is significantly higher than the re-release performance of the actor's recent global blockbuster Salaar, which saw around 102,000 tickets sold. With this performance, Darling officially entered the Top 5 all-time for Telugu re-release ticket sales on the platform, moving ahead of classic titles like Athadu and Businessman. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The scale of the release was unprecedented for a film returning to the big screen. Darling 4K played across 1,616 shows in 185 cities, maintaining a very healthy overall occupancy of 47 percent on its opening day. Fans across the nation turned theatres into concert halls, with over 180 housefull shows recorded nationwide. The combination of nostalgia, the evergreen chemistry between Prabhas and Kajal Aggarwal, and the pristine 4K upgrade has turned this re-release into a full-blown box office celebration. In the overseas markets, the Darling 4K re-release has managed to put up decent numbers on its opening day. According to the data reported by Venky Box Office, the film registered a Day 1 gross of $32,093, which is approximately Rs. 30.1 lakhs. The North American market contributed the lion's share with $20,962 coming from 82 locations. The United Kingdom recorded a gross of £7,708, while Australia added around A$1,000 to the total tally. The performance in the USA was steady, with special shows recording a final advance sale of $17,841 across 135 shows with 2,234 tickets sold. Per Venky Box Office, while the footfalls were strong, the overall gross was slightly limited due to the discount Tuesday pricing. In the all-time North American re-release charts, Darling 4K has taken the 13th spot. It surpassed the opening figures of other notable re-releases like Shiva 4K, Pokiri 4K, and Billa 4K, though it finished just behind the numbers of SVSC 4K and JVAS 4K. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Here are the top 5 highest-grossing Telugu re-releases on their opening day in the North American market: Baahubali: The Beginning - $452,739 from 400 Locations (Rs. 3.80 Crore) Indra - $65,375 from 64 Locations (Rs. 54.91 Lakhs) Gabbar Singh - $60,216 from 117 Locations (Rs. 50.58 Lakhs) Khaleja - $58,288 from 107 Locations (Rs. 48.96 Lakhs) Athadu - $57,290 from 124 Locations (Rs. 48.12 Lakhs) Top 5 Telugu Re-Release Movies - Day 1 Worldwide GrossRANKMOVIE NAMEDAY 1 WW GROSS1Baahubali: The Beginning₹ 19.65 Cr2Darling 4K₹ 7.59 Cr3Gabbar Singh 4K₹ 7.53 Cr4Khaleja 4K₹ 6.85 Cr5Murari 4K₹ 5.41 Cr

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, April 24 - Superstar Salman Khan has officially locked Eid 2027 as the release window for his upcoming big-budget entertainer directed by Vamshi Paidipally. The yet-untitled film is being positioned as an action spectacle, marking a significant collaboration between Bollywood and the South film industry. A Big-Ticket Collaboration (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film brings together Salman Khan and Telugu filmmaker Vamshi Paidipally for the first time. Known for delivering large-scale commercial family entertainers like Maharshi and Varisu, Paidipally is expected to present Salman in a mass-heavy, stylised action avatar, tailored for a wide audience across multiple languages. Backing the project is noted producer Dil Raju, who has a strong track record in mounting high-budget ventures. With this combination of star power and production scale, the film is already being seen as one of the biggest releases of 2027. Nayanthara has been locked to play the female lead. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Shooting Underway, Massive Scale Planned The film has reportedly gone on floors recently, with initial shooting schedules taking place in Mumbai. The makers are planning an extensive shoot spanning multiple locations, with a focus on high-octane action sequences, grand visuals, and a strong emotional core, a formula that aligns with both Salman Khan's star image and Paidipally's storytelling style. Salman Khan Returns To His Favourite Slot Eid has long been synonymous with Salman Khan's biggest box office successes. Films like Wanted, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and Sultan turned the festive period into a guaranteed blockbuster window for the superstar. By locking Eid 2027, the makers are clearly aiming to recreate that box office magic, especially after a phase where Salman's recent releases have seen mixed responses. The festive timing, combined with a mass entertainer format, positions the film as a potential comeback vehicle for the actor. This project comes at an important juncture in Salman Khan's career. With evolving audience tastes and increasing competition from pan-India films, the actor is looking to reinvent his box office dominance. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Thoda durr ki sochna chahiye, That’s why announced Eid….. Don’t worry iss wali ka bhi bataenge, when the time is right…… Patience, thoda sa sabar…… Mere Jitna he intezar karna padega,Baherhaal jo apka haal hai wo hi mera bhi haal hai…. haha 🙏#Nayanthara… pic.twitter.com/nMGrfOj3DF— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) April 24, 2026

BY SACNILK TEAM

Here is the Hindi movie Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 box office collection which is a romantic comedy family drama film. This film is directed by Prasshant Jha and produced by Zee Studio and Soundrya Productions. ## Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 stars Avinash Tiwary, Medha Shankar, Sudhir Pandey, and Lillete Dubey in key roles. ## Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 Box Office Collection Day Wise | All Language DayIndia Net Collection Day 1 [1st Friday] ₹ - Cr * may earn Total ₹ - Cr ## India Net Collection ₹ - Cr ## Worldwide Collection ₹ - Cr ## Overseas Collection ₹ - Cr ## India Gross Collection ₹ - Cr ## Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 Budget: ₹ - Cr * Approx ## Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 Verdict: Coming Soon ## Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 Screen count ## India: - ## Overseas: - ## Worldwide total: - ## Release Date: 24th April 2026 ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood Box Office Collection, Stay tuned to us.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, April 23 - Akshay Kumar-fronted horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla has registered a good and steady first week at the Indian box office. The film has managed to maintain consistency after a good opening weekend, keeping itself firmly on track to emerge as a big success story. Bhooth Bangla Clocked 84 Crore Net In First Week Directed by Priyadarshan, Bhooth Bangla collected 79 crore net in its first six days. The film is tracking to earn another 5.50 crore net on Thursday, to close the opening week in the range of 84+ crores net. This is one of the best first-week collections for an Akshay Kumar-starrer in the post-pandemic era. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film opened at 12.25 crore and saw significant growth over the weekend, reaching over 50 crore within its first three days. Post the weekend, Bhooth Bangla saw the expected weekday drop, but the decline remained controlled. It collected 6.75 crore on Monday, followed by a jump to 8 crore on Tuesday, and then 6.15 crore on Wednesday, showcasing a stable weekday trend rather than a sharp fall. This kind of hold indicates that the film has found acceptance among audiences, particularly in mass and family circuits. By the end of its first week, the film's total is expected to land in the 84+ crore net range, putting it in a comfortable position heading into the second weekend. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Top 5 Biggest First Week Grossers of Akshay Kumar (Post Pandemic) S. No. Movie First Week Net Collection 1 Housefull 5 ₹ 127.25 Cr 2 Sooryavanshi ₹ 120.66 Cr 3 OMG 2 ₹ 85.05 Cr 4 Bhooth Bangla ₹ 84.40 Cr 5 Jolly LLB 3 ₹ 74.00 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Bhooth Bangla To Enter 100 Crore Club In Second Weekend With this trajectory, Bhooth Bangla is now poised to enter the 100 crore club during its second weekend, most likely on Sunday. The film's performance is noteworthy considering the competition in the market and external factors like the ongoing Indian Premier League season, which often impacts theatre occupancy. Despite the odds, the combination of comedy and horror, along with the popular reunion of Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, has worked in its favour. Overall, Bhooth Bangla has delivered a good first week with stable trends, and its box office journey now depends on how strongly it grows over the second weekend.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla has maintained a steady grip at the box office as it nears the conclusion of its first week. On its sixth day (Wednesday), the film recorded a net collection of ₹ 6.15 Cr in India, showcasing the kind of mid-week resilience essential for a successful theatrical run. While this figure represents a 23.1 percent drop from the Tuesday collection of ₹ 8.00 Cr, the hold remains firm considering the high volume of 11,584 shows being screened across the country. Bhooth Bangla's mid-week performance remains solid when compared to the track record of Akshay Kumar's post-pandemic theatrical runs. On its first Wednesday, the film managed to edge past the collections of Sky Force (₹ 6.00 Cr), Jolly LLB 3 (₹ 4.50 Cr), and Kesari Chapter 2 (₹ 3.60 Cr), while significantly outperforming the Day 7 figures of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (₹ 2.55 Cr). Although it trailed the high benchmarks set by Sooryavanshi (₹ 9.55 Cr), Housefull 5 (₹ 8.50 Cr), and OMG 2 (₹ 7.20 Cr), the current trend reflects a healthy word-of-mouth that is sustaining the film's momentum. Akshay Kumar Post-COVID Films: 1st Wednesday India Net ComparisonMOVIE NAMEDAY 6 NET COLLECTIONSooryavanshi₹ 9.55 CrHousefull 5₹ 8.50 CrOMG 2₹ 7.20 CrBhooth Bangla₹ 6.15 CrSky Force₹ 6.00 CrJolly LLB 3₹ 4.50 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The theatrical occupancy for Day 6 followed a classic growth pattern, starting with 7.24 percent in the morning and gaining momentum as the day progressed. The afternoon and evening shows recorded 13.41 percent and 14.29 percent respectively, but it was the night screenings that saw the highest turnout at 17.14 percent. This trend suggests that the film is effectively drawing in the youth and office-going crowds, resulting in an overall Hindi occupancy of 13.02 percent for the day. The film's performance is further supported by strong digital engagement on ticketing platforms like BookMyShow. On its sixth day, Bhooth Bangla sold approximately 92,820 tickets in a 24-hour window, taking its total cumulative ticket sales on the platform to over 15.28 lakhs. While the daily total from 8 AM to 11 PM stood at 71,950 tickets—a dip from the 1.17 lakh tickets sold during the same period on Tuesday—the hourly trends remained encouraging. Even in the late 10-11 PM slot, the horror-comedy managed to move over 3,500 tickets, indicating that the interest level remains healthy as the film transitions into its second week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) On the global front, Bhooth Bangla has officially crossed a major milestone. With an overseas contribution of ₹ 2.00 Cr on Wednesday, the total international gross has reached ₹ 33.50 Cr. Combined with the domestic gross collection of ₹ 93.87 Cr, the worldwide total now stands at ₹ 127.37 Cr. This pushes the film well past the ₹ 100 Cr mark globally in less than a week, setting a solid foundation for its second weekend. As the film wraps up its first seven days, the focus will shift to how it sustains during the upcoming weekend. The total India net collection currently stands at ₹ 78.90 Cr, and with no major competition in the immediate horizon, the film is well-positioned to cross the ₹ 100 Cr net mark domestically in the coming days. The consistent occupancy levels and steady worldwide growth indicate that Bhooth Bangla has successfully carved out its space in the horror-comedy genre. India Net Collection (Total): ₹ 78.90 Cr India Gross Collection (Total): ₹ 93.87 Cr Overseas Gross (Total): ₹ 33.50 Cr Worldwide Gross (Total): ₹ 127.37 Cr

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Anticipation is building across the global film market as the musical biopic Michael prepares for what is expected to be a historic opening weekend. In India, the film has already established an incredible lead, securing over 1.10 lakh ticket sales across national cinema chains for its opening weekend alone. This surge has pushed total advance collections in the country beyond the ₹3 crore mark, signaling that the King of Pop's legacy remains a massive draw for Indian moviegoers across all major urban centers. The film's performance in the Indian market is placing it among the most elite Hollywood releases in history. Michael currently ranks as the fourth-highest Hollywood film in terms of all-time advance ticket sales in India, trailing only the massive blockbuster trio of Avengers: Endgame, Oppenheimer, and Barbie. In doing so, it has shattered the record for the highest advance sales for a musical biopic in the country, comfortably overtaking previous genre leaders like Bohemian Rhapsody and Elvis. For its opening day specifically, the film has already locked in nearly 39,000 tickets, ensuring a powerhouse start on Friday. The momentum is equally staggering on the global stage, where the film is eyeing a massive $150 million opening across 82 international markets. Tracking for the North American box office suggests an opening weekend ranging between $65 million and $80 million. Should it reach the higher end of these estimates, Michael will officially become the biggest domestic debut ever for a musical biopic, surpassing the $60.2 million record held by Straight Outta Compton. This global wave is already visible in markets like Brazil, where early previews have raked in $1.2 million—a figure that outpaces all other major 2026 releases in the territory. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) A significant portion of this pre-release buzz is centered on the central performance of Jaafar Jackson, the real-life nephew of Michael Jackson. While early critical discourse has touched on the narrative's scope, Jaafar's portrayal has received near-universal acclaim for being transformative and uncanny. Industry insiders have noted that Jaafar brings a natural stage presence that feels deeply rooted in his uncle's DNA, creating a level of authenticity that few other biopics have managed to capture. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King—the man behind the success of Bohemian Rhapsody—the film is being viewed as a meticulously crafted tribute designed for the biggest possible screen experience. With high-profile venues like Hyderabad's Prasads and ALLU Cinemas reporting shows in overdrive, the film is set to dominate the weekend discussion. As it bridges the gap between a high-stakes Hollywood production and a deeply personal family legacy, Michael is not just looking to break records, but to redefine how musical icons are celebrated in modern cinema. All eyes are now on the official opening figures to see if the King of Pop can once again reclaim his throne at the top of the global charts.