Bhooth Bangla vs Dacoit Box Office April 2026: Release Dates, Full Cast, Stories and What to Expect

The April 10 Box Office Just Changed: Bhooth Bangla Blinked First

The April 10, 2026 box office clash between Bhooth Bangla and Dacoit lasted exactly as long as it took for Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge to make ₹1,300 crore worldwide. On April 2, producer Ekta Kapoor officially announced that Bhooth Bangla — Akshay Kumar's reunion with director Priyadarshan — had been moved from April 10 to April 17, with paid preview shows beginning April 16 at 9pm. Dacoit, starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur, holds April 10 as a solo release. The so-called clash is now a staggered rollout — but what each film is, who it is for, and what it needs to succeed at the box office remains worth understanding before either hits screens.

Why Did Bhooth Bangla Move From April 10 to April 17?

The official reason given by producer Ekta Kapoor is straightforward: Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is still dominating multiplexes three weeks after its March 19 release, having crossed ₹1,300 crore worldwide. According to India TV News, exhibitors and distributors collectively requested the Bhooth Bangla team to shift dates — arguing that both films deserved their own space rather than competing for screens while Dhurandhar 2 still commands large show counts.

The move makes commercial sense. Bhooth Bangla has a reported production budget of ₹120 crore. Going up against both a Dhurandhar 2 that is still selling tickets in volume and a Dacoit that has strong South Indian audience loyalty on the same date would have squeezed screen availability, particularly in the Hindi belt. A one-week delay gives Bhooth Bangla something Dacoit will not have on April 10: a relatively clear battlefield. Dacoit now effectively gets April 10 to itself in the Telugu-dominant market, while Bhooth Bangla gets a cleaner shot at the Hindi family audience from April 17.

This is the third release date for Bhooth Bangla. It was originally set for May 15, moved to April 10, and is now at April 17. That date-shifting history is a minor concern for trade analysts — but the pre-release buzz, driven by the teaser and two songs, remains solid.

What Is Bhooth Bangla? The Full Film Guide

Bhooth Bangla (translated: Haunted House) is a Hindi-language fantasy horror comedy directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Akshay Kumar, Ekta Kapoor, and Shobha Kapoor under Balaji Motion Pictures and Cape of Good Films. According to Wikipedia's production record, the film marks Priyadarshan's seventh collaboration with Akshay Kumar and his second Hindi horror comedy after Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007). The two have not worked together in 14 years — their last film was Khatta Meetha (2010).

The story is set in the fictional town of Mangalpur, built around a haunted palace and a mysterious curse linked to the legend of Vadhusur — a myth that prevents weddings from taking place in the town. The film draws inspiration from Indian mythology and ancient texts including references to the Vedas and the Mahabharata. Nolan's approach to mythology in The Odyssey is built on realism; Priyadarshan's is built on chaos and comedy.

Cast: Akshay Kumar (lead), Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Wamiqa Gabbi (female lead, confirmed October 2024), Rajpal Yadav, Mithila Palkar, Jisshu Sengupta, Manoj Joshi, Asrani. The cast is a near-complete reunion of the ensemble that made Bhool Bhulaiyaa iconic — Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, and Manoj Joshi are all back alongside Akshay.

Crew: Director Priyadarshan. Composer Pritam (whose music rights were acquired by Zee Music Company). Runtime: approximately 170 minutes (2 hours 50 minutes) — Akshay Kumar's longest film since Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014).

Songs released: "Ram Ji Aake Bhala Karenge" (February 26, 2026) — lyrics drew comparisons to "Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor" from Satyajit Ray's 1969 Bengali classic Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne. "Tu Hi Disda" (March 24, 2026) — Arijit Singh, who had announced his exit from playback singing, reportedly approached the makers himself to perform this track.

Shooting locations: London, Jaipur, Kochi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad. Principal photography completed May 2025.

What Is Dacoit? The Full Film Guide

Dacoit: A Love Story (also called Dacoit Ek Prem Katha) is a Telugu-and-Hindi bilingual action romance directed by Shaneil Deo in his feature debut. According to Pinkvilla, the film was originally scheduled for March 19, 2026 — Ugadi — before being moved to April 10 to avoid competition with Dhurandhar 2 and the since-postponed Toxic.

The story follows an angry convict seeking revenge on his former girlfriend who betrayed him. What went wrong between them — and why they turned against each other — forms the emotional core of the narrative. Adivi Sesh co-wrote the story and screenplay alongside director Shaneil Deo, which is consistent with his track record of developing his own projects (he wrote and produced Major in 2022).

Cast: Adivi Sesh (lead), Mrunal Thakur (female lead — she replaced Shruti Haasan, who exited due to reported creative differences), Anurag Kashyap (in a prominent role as a police officer, not directing), Prakash Raj, Sunil, Atul Kulkarni, Zayn Marie Khan.

Crew: Director Shaneil Deo (debut). Producer Supriya Yarlagadda, presented by Annapurna Studios — one of Telugu cinema's most respected production banners. Composer Bheems Ceciroleo. Cinematography by Danush Bhaskar. Shot simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi — a pan-India distribution strategy.

Pre-release business: According to trade reports, Dacoit has generated approximately ₹30 crore in worldwide pre-release business — the highest in Adivi Sesh's career. PVR INOX has signed on for distribution across Mumbai, Central Province, Central India, and Rajasthan circuits. The film needs approximately ₹50 crore from the Telugu version alone to break even.

Song released: "Rubaroo" — a romantic track featuring Faheem Abdullah and Chinmayi Sripada, released alongside the April 10 date confirmation. The promotional campaign also used the iconic track "Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast" in the teaser.

Head-to-Head: Bhooth Bangla vs Dacoit at a Glance

FactorBhooth BanglaDacoit Release DateApril 17, 2026 (previews Apr 16)April 10, 2026 LanguageHindiTelugu + Hindi (bilingual) GenreHorror Comedy / FantasyAction Romance Thriller DirectorPriyadarshanShaneil Deo (debut) Lead ActorAkshay KumarAdivi Sesh Female LeadWamiqa GabbiMrunal Thakur Budget~₹120 croreNot officially disclosed Pre-release BusinessAdvance booking ongoing~₹30 crore worldwide Day 1 Forecast₹10–20 crore (Pinkvilla: ₹10–15 cr)₹50 cr+ needed to break even (Telugu only) Core AudienceHindi family audienceTelugu + pan-India audience Comparable FilmBhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)Major (2022)

Box Office Expectations: Can Either Film Break Through?

For Bhooth Bangla, the Pinkvilla Day 1 forecast of ₹10–15 crore is the conservative estimate — with the note that if the trailer (still unreleased as of early April) lands well, the opening could be revised upward to ₹18–20 crore. A solo April 17 release with paid preview momentum gives it the best possible conditions. Trade analysts point to the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise's continued commercial vitality as evidence of appetite for this genre — though Bhooth Bangla has no IP connection to the Bhool Bhulaiyaa sequels, the tonal and casting similarity is expected to drive curiosity.

The most honest comparison point for Bhooth Bangla's ceiling is Stree 2 (2024), which holds the horror-comedy paid preview record at ₹9.4 crore net. Given Bhooth Bangla's 9pm first-show schedule and smaller initial show count, matching Stree 2 on previews is a high bar. The film's ₹120 crore budget means it needs a very solid run — trade estimates suggest ₹250 crore+ lifetime for a hit verdict, and ₹450 crore+ for a blockbuster.

For Dacoit, the solo April 10 release is an opportunity to establish its footprint before Bhooth Bangla enters the picture a week later. The ₹30 crore pre-release business and PVR INOX distribution partnership give it real commercial infrastructure. Adivi Sesh's track record — Major (2022) was a genuine pan-India crossover success despite modest expectations — suggests his audience loyalty in Telugu states will show up. The Hindi numbers are the variable. If the film connects emotionally in the Hindi belt the way Major did, Dacoit could outperform its pre-release projections.

For Bangladesh Viewers: What to Watch and When

Both films will be available in Bangladesh theatres and on streaming shortly after their theatrical runs. Bhooth Bangla's horror-comedy register — with Akshay Kumar and the Bhool Bhulaiyaa cast — has natural appeal for Bangladesh's large Bollywood-consuming audience. The Priyadarshan-Akshay pairing has generated nostalgia-driven buzz that travels well across South Asia. Dacoit is more of a Telugu-cinema watch for Bangladesh audiences already following Adivi Sesh's work — his Major was a genuine crossover film, and Dacoit's bilingual nature means it arrives in Hindi too.

For a wider picture of how April 2026's Bollywood and South Indian box office is shaping up — and how the March Dhurandhar 2 dominance that pushed Bhooth Bangla off April 10 played out — see our detailed analysis of the March 2026 Bollywood box office clashes including Dhurandhar 2. And for Bangladesh's own film industry — Dhallywood — and how local cinema is competing for the same multiplex screens during the same season, our Dhallywood 2026 overview covers the full picture. For how Eid 2026's big Bangladesh box office played out, see our Shakib Khan's Prince and the Eid 2026 Bangladesh movies coverage.

As of publication, Bhooth Bangla's trailer has not yet been released — the pre-release campaign has been running on teasers and songs alone. The trailer's reception will be the final major pre-release signal before April 17 arrives. WinTK will update with box office results once both films open.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Bhooth Bangla releasing?
Bhooth Bangla now releases on April 17, 2026, with paid preview shows from April 16 at 9pm. It was originally scheduled for April 10 before being moved due to Dhurandhar 2's continued strong box office performance.

When is Dacoit releasing?
Dacoit: A Love Story releases on April 10, 2026 in theatres worldwide, simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi. It was originally scheduled for March 19 before moving to April 10.

Who is in Bhooth Bangla?
Akshay Kumar leads, with Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Wamiqa Gabbi, Rajpal Yadav, Mithila Palkar, Jisshu Sengupta, Manoj Joshi, and Asrani in key roles. Directed by Priyadarshan.

Who is in Dacoit?
Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur lead. Anurag Kashyap appears in a prominent supporting role as a police officer. Directed by Shaneil Deo. Produced by Annapurna Studios.

Is Bhooth Bangla connected to Bhool Bhulaiyaa?
No — there is no official IP connection between Bhooth Bangla and the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise. However, both were directed by Priyadarshan and star Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, and Manoj Joshi. The tonal similarity is deliberate but the storylines are separate.