Fans of Bollywood star Akshay Kumar will need to exercise a bit more patience for his upcoming horror-comedy venture, Bhooth Bangla. The film, which marks his long-awaited reunion with acclaimed director Priyadarshan after a gap of 14 years, has officially been postponed.
New Release Date Announced
The movie's makers have confirmed a shift in the theatrical release schedule. Originally scheduled to hit the screens on April 2, 2026, Bhooth Bangla will now open in cinemas on 15 May 2026. The announcement was made officially through a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The post, which did not specify any particular reason for the delay, read, "Bangle se ek khabar aayi hai! The doors open on 15th May 2026. See you in cinemas." Along with the new date, the team also unveiled two fresh posters for the film.
Reasons Behind the Postponement
Industry insiders point to two primary factors for this strategic move. According to trade tracker Sacnilk, a major reason is to avoid clashing with the anticipated box office wave of Dhurandhar 2.
The Ranveer Singh-starrer sequel is slated for release on March 19, 2026. Given that the first Dhurandhar film is currently enjoying a phenomenal run, having minted approximately ₹786 crore net in 34 days, the producers of Bhooth Bangla reportedly decided to steer clear of its path.
Simultaneously, some reports indicate that the film required additional time for post-production work, particularly in the VFX (visual effects) department. This technical requirement is also believed to have contributed to the decision to push the release.
Star-Studded Cast and Plot Hints
Bhooth Bangla boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Alongside Akshay Kumar, the film features talented actors like Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Jisshu Sengupta, Asrani, and Wamiqa Gabbi.
The project is a horror-comedy produced by Balaji Telefilms Ltd in association with Cape of Good Films. It is backed by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R. Kapoor, and Akshay Kumar himself.
While the full plot remains under wraps, the film is set around the story of a mysterious and haunted mansion. The newly released poster, showing Akshay Kumar holding a lantern inside a spooky mansion setup, strongly hints at a classic blend of desi horror and slapstick comedy—a genre where director Priyadarshan has historically excelled.
The delay, while disappointing for eager fans, has only heightened anticipation for this collaboration, which promises to bring back the magic of one of Bollywood's most successful actor-director duos.
