Here is why the shift happened and what it means for the box office.
The Official Announcement
Balaji Motion Pictures dropped a new poster yesterday with the caption: "Bangle se ek khabar aayi hai! The doors open on 15th May 2026. See you in cinemas #BhoothBangla" The poster features Akshay in a quirky, spooky avatar, holding a lantern inside a haunted mansion, promising the return of the "classic" Priyadarshan-Akshay magic (Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa).
Why the Delay? The "Dhuraxic" Effect!
Trade insiders are calling this a "masterstroke."
The Fear: With Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar Part 2 and Yash’s Toxic locking horns on March 19, the entire month of April is expected to be dominated by their holdover audience.
The Safe Zone: By moving to mid-May, Bhooth Bangla gets a clean window (mostly) and avoids the crossfire of the biggest clash of the decade.
New Clash Alert: Akki vs. Sid?
But the coast isn't entirely clear! By moving to May 15, Bhooth Bangla is now set to clash with Sidharth Malhotra’s folk thriller 'Vvan: Force of the Forest', which is also eyeing the same date.
Comedy vs. Thriller: It’s a classic genre battle. Akshay’s family entertainer vs. Sidharth’s dark, mytho-thriller.
The "Reunion" Hype
Fans don't mind the wait because Bhooth Bangla is special.
The Cast: It marks the reunion of Akshay and Priyadarshan after 16 years.
The Team: The film also stars Tabu (reuniting with Akki after 25 years!), Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, and the late legendary Asrani in one of his final roles.
SantaBanta Verdict: Better late than never! May 15 is now the date to mark. Will the "Bhooth" rule the summer vacations? We think yes!
