Mumbai has been abuzz with excitement as Kartik Aaryan’s latest cinematic venture, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3,’ made an explosive entry at the box office. The horror-comedy film, directed by Anees Bazmee, achieved an astounding opening day collection of Rs 36.60 crore, making it a remarkable success both for Aaryan and the film’s entire team.
The release has clearly outshone the expectations set by industry analysts and audiences alike, significantly surpassing the opening figures of its predecessor, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2′, which had collected a noteworthy Rs 14.11 crore. Esteemed trade analyst Taran Adarsh has praised the film’s performance, expressing that it “proved to be an overwhelming success, far exceeding any initial projections.”
For director Anees Bazmee, this film represents a landmark achievement. Known for his previous works in comedy and horror-comedy genres, Bazmee has now delivered his best opening yet, a personal triumph which will undoubtedly fortify his reputation as an accomplished filmmaker. Adding to the accolades, producer Bhushan Kumar can also celebrate—’Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ has turned out to be the highest-grossing first-day opener under his production umbrella so far in 2024, as confirmed by Taran Adarsh.
The contest between Kartik Aaryan’s cinematic outings is noteworthy. With the success of ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’, Aaryan has managed to surpass his prior box office performances. He has achieved a higher ‘Day 1’ business compared to his other films like 2020’s ‘Love Aaj Kal’, which debuted with Rs 12.40 crore, and even 2023’s ‘SatyaPrem Ki Katha’, which earned Rs 9.25 crore on its opening day.
The film’s substantial earnings were fueled by impressive ticket sales in major multiplex chains, including giants like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, cumulatively generating a whopping Rs 15.91 crore from these venues.
. Such figures underscore the enduring draw and appeal of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise.
This year in Indian cinema is marking a strong trend for horror-comedy as a favored genre. ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ stands alongside the successful 2024 releases of ‘Munjya’ and ‘Stree 2’, a testament to audience demand for comedy infused with the thrills and chills of horror. This trend hints at a promising future where more films in this genre might captivate audiences.
The ensemble cast of ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ includes celebrated actors Madhuri Dixit Nene, Vidya Balan, and Triptii Dimri, sharing the screen with Kartik Aaryan. This movie enriches the Bhool Bhulaiyaa series, which began its journey with Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan in the iconic 2007 release of the same name. With each installment, the franchise has continually evolved, garnering more fans and generating higher box office returns.
This year’s Diwali saw ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ locking horns with another high-profile release—Rohit Shetty’s ‘Singham Again’. Despite the significant competition from Shetty’s ensemble star-studded film featuring Ajay Devgn, Arjun Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, and Tiger Shroff, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ made a remarkable impact right from the start.
The juxtaposition of these two major releases establishes a fascinating dialogue in the box office dynamic, where seasoned and emerging stars come face-to-face, making pre-existing projections about revenue and audience engagement even more interesting.
The franchise’s latest installment’s success not only exemplifies Kartik Aaryan’s growing clout as a box office draw but also fortifies director Anees Bazmee’s prowess in helming projects that blend humor and horror seamlessly. This blockbuster opening sets a high benchmark for future releases and promises to captivate audiences further with its engaging mix of laughter, mystery, and a touch of spine-tingling horror.
As ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ continues to win over audiences, both Anees Bazmee and Kartik Aaryan have much to celebrate. Their collaborative success points towards a promising future for the horror-comedy franchise, encouraging viewers to anticipate more engaging and entertaining cinematic experiences. For now, though, the box office echoes with the triumphant note of ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’s record-shattering commencement.
