This Diwali, Bollywood is witnessing a monumental clash as Kartik Aaryan’s horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 goes head-to-head with the action-packed Singham Again, led by Ajay Devgn. Both films are slated for release on November 1, kicking off the holiday weekend with an anticipated combined day-one gross of nearly Rs 100 crore, according to industry predictions.
However, this heavyweight face-off is stirring up tension across the industry, with insiders divided on whether the clash will benefit or hinder the box office performance of both films.
A Clash Rooted in Postponed Releases
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again weren’t initially planned as Diwali competitors. Originally, Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again was expected to release on August 15, alongside other big names like Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2. However, production delays pushed the Ajay Devgn-fronted cop drama to November, directly into the path of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, directed by Anees Bazmee.
When the new Diwali release schedule was confirmed, industry observers speculated on whether either film would reschedule to avoid direct competition.
Box Office Dynamics: Sharing Screens on the Big Day
The logistical challenges of this clash are also affecting exhibitors, who have endured a lean year at the box office. Both films are competing for a finite number of screens, with an approximate split of 60 percent going to Singham Again and 40 percent to Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
This divide could be further impacted by regional preferences and specific distributor agreements, with each cinema hall tasked to maximize audience reach for both blockbusters. Single-screen theatres are particularly strained, as they must divide limited shows between the two releases.
“For single screens, Singham Again generally receives three shows, while Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 receives two,” said an industry source. This division is set for the opening day, but show schedules might adjust based on early audience feedback.
Projected Earnings: A High-Stakes Opening Day
The opening day potential is predicted at approximately Rs 100 crore, though experts say a solo release for each film would have yielded a much stronger box office performance.
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Hypothetically, a standalone release could have positioned Singham Again at Rs 50 crore and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 at Rs 30 crore. However, due to the overlap, revised projections are estimating Rs 35 crore for Singham Again and Rs 23-25 crore for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 on their opening day.
Diwali: A Strategic Yet “Weak” Box Office Season
While Diwali has traditionally been a strong period for Bollywood, this year’s holiday falls on a regular weekend without the benefit of extended public holidays to boost attendance. Trade experts indicate that the absence of additional holiday time will limit audience turnout from Monday onward, resulting in a regular working week with only minor boosts in regions like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
“The potential for Diwali has historically been strong, but recent years have seen a decline due to inconsistent content quality,” an insider commented, pointing to the fading box office allure of Diwali compared to other festival releases like Eid and Christmas. For reference, 2023’s highest-grossing Diwali release, Tiger 3, saw box office earnings peak at Rs 285 crore—significantly lower than Christmas and Eid successes in previous years.
The Battle of Brands: A Test of Content Over Hype
Ultimately, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again represent more than a mere clash of release dates; they showcase the long-standing rivalry between genre titans.
On one side, Anees Bazmee’s horror-comedy follows a series of recent Bollywood successes in the genre, while Rohit Shetty’s action film taps into the ever-popular “cop universe.” Each franchise brings a distinct fan base, and with star-studded casts, both films are set to attract large audiences.
“Rohit Shetty might be a more recognizable brand than Anees Bazmee, but as post-pandemic releases have shown, it’s the story that ultimately decides a film’s success,” an industry analyst shared.
The highly anticipated showdown between Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again isn’t just a box office rivalry; it’s a testament to the evolving landscape of Bollywood, where strategic release dates and content quality ultimately decide a film’s fate.
