Theatres expect record-breaking Diwali with Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Movie theatres across the country are betting on the upcoming Diwali weekend to bolster business after a long dry spell at the box office since the release of horror comedy Stree 2 in August.
Two big Bollywood releases—Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again—come with the benefit of established franchises and recall value, making anticipation strong enough for the festive weekend to emerge as one of the biggest in the past 20 years. Together, they are estimated to clock in ₹70 crore to ₹80 crore on opening day (1 November), which is also the day after Diwali in most parts of the country, while a weekend of ₹200 crore is on the cards.
However, the fear is that a tussle for more screens and better show timings will lead the two to eat into each other’s business, dwindling returns in the long run. “This weekend is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent times… There is significant anticipation surrounding both films and the festive timing will likely boost their box office potential," said Devang Sampat, managing director at Cinepolis India.
In north India, Singham Again (starring Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukone) is slightly ahead as the first choice among audiences owing to its mass appeal and the strong fan base built by Rohit Shetty's franchise that includes hits such as Simmba and Sooryavanshi. However, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 also enjoys high excitement levels, given its blend of comedy and horror, making it a family-friendly option for the festive period, Sampat added.
In south India, regional films are being released on Diwali weekend. Amaran (Tamil), Bagheera (Kannada, with Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi versions) and Lucky Bashar will vie for attention even as Singham
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