Akshay Kumar's 'Bhooth Bangla' release delayed to avoid competition from Ranveer Singh starrer 'Dhurandhar 2': Report

Priyadarshan's much-awaited horror-comedy 'Bhooth Bangla', starring Akshay Kumar, will no longer hit theatres on April 10 as initially planned. Amid ongoing speculation, a latest report has confirmed that the film will be officially pushed to April 17, 2026. The decision comes as 'Dhurandhar 2', headlined by Ranveer Singh, continues its dominant box office run, occupying a majority of screens. Even Hollywood star Ryan Gosling’s 'Project Hail Mary', designed for IMAX viewing, struggled to secure adequate showcasing due to the film’s overwhelming presence. An industry insider was quoted by Variety India, “The producers of ‘Bhooth Bangla’ realized the challenges in taking on the Ranveer Singh-starrer. And it’s a good business decision. It’s a win for the producers as well as the industry. Even ‘Toxic’ had avoided a clash with the Aditya Dhar directorial. There should be no ego involved in such decisions. Ektaa's mom Shobha Kapoor fully supports this decision."The new release date according to the news portal, is April 17, was previously earmarked for Salman Khan’s 'Maatrubhumi', before that project was postponed, leaving the slot vacant.A trade source further explained, “The postponement of ‘Bhooth Bangla’ was driven purely by the need for breathing space at the box office. The trailer launch of the film, initially scheduled for March 30, now stands cancelled for the time being, with new plans of unveiling it in the first week of April.”'Bhooth Bangla' also marks the much-awaited reunion between Akshay Kumar and filmmaker Priyadarshan after 14 years. The duo has previously delivered several beloved comedies, including 'Hera Pheri', 'Garam Masala', 'Bhagam Bhag', 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa', 'De Dana Dan', and 'Khatta Meetha'.