Akshay Kumar's Bhooth Bangla: A Horror Comedy Hits Theatres

Akshay Kumar's new film, Bhooth Bangla, has hit theatres, showcasing a blend of horror and comedy. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film opened with paid previews earning Rs 3.50 crore. The story revolves around the mysterious town of Mangalpur and its resident demon. With a budget of Rs 120 crore, the film features a star-studded cast, including Akshay Kumar, Tabu, and others. The Central Board of Film Certification has granted it a U/A 16+ rating after some modifications. Read on to find out more about its performance and storyline.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 17, 2026, 11:08 IST

Bhooth Bangla Premieres in Cinemas

Akshay Kumar's latest film, Bhooth Bangla, has officially premiered in theatres. Directed by Priyadarshan, the horror-comedy opened its ticket sales for paid previews on Thursday evening at 9 PM. In contrast to Dhurandhar 2, the ticket prices were more affordable, although the number of shows was limited. Early estimates suggest that Bhooth Bangla garnered approximately Rs 3.50 crore from these previews, with official figures from the production team still pending. The paid previews commenced at 9 PM and 9:30 PM in various locations, while regular screenings began globally today (April 17).

Paid Previews Collection Insights

Bhooth Bangla Paid Previews Collection

As reported by Sacnilk, Bhooth Bangla collected Rs 3.50 crore during its paid previews. The film faced stiff competition from Dhurandhar 2, which impacted its early earnings. For context, Stree 2 previously earned Rs 9 crore in paid previews, while Dhurandhar 2 achieved Rs 43 crore. Other notable films like Chennai Express managed around Rs 6 crore.

Plot Overview of Bhooth Bangla

Bhooth Bangla Story

The narrative of Bhooth Bangla revolves around the town of Mangalpur and its resident demon, Vadhusur. This ghostly town conceals centuries-old mysteries and secrets. Dr. Vasudev Acharya (played by Jisshu Sengupta) is a scholar of Vedic texts, raising two children: son Arjun (Akshay Kumar) and daughter Meera (Mithila Palkar), who wishes to marry her boyfriend, Rahul. The Acharya family, steeped in tradition and superstition, invites chaos by agreeing to the marriage at their ancestral property in Mangalpur, which was bequeathed to Meera by their grandfather.

CBFC Certification Details

Bhooth Bangla CBFC

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has awarded Bhooth Bangla a U/A 16+ rating. The Examining Committee raised several concerns regarding the film, necessitating specific modifications. In addition to the changes mandated by the board, the filmmakers opted to trim the runtime by 10 minutes, resulting in a total duration of 2 hours and 53 minutes.

Budget and Cast Salaries

Bhooth Bangla Budget

Reportedly, Bhooth Bangla was produced with a lavish budget of Rs 120 crore. Sources indicate that Akshay Kumar accepted a significant pay cut of 28.5% for this project. Despite this, he remains the highest-paid actor in the film, reportedly earning Rs 50 crore along with a 70% share in profits as a co-producer. Tabu also took a 16% pay cut, charging Rs 2.5 crore, while Wamiqa Gabbi received Rs 3 crore, and Paresh Rawal earned Rs 2 crore. Jisshu Sengupta's fee was Rs 1 crore, and Rajpal Yadav's earnings ranged between Rs 1-1.5 crore.