Mumbai: In a scintillating display of its star power and audience appeal, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3,’ featuring heartthrob Kartik Aaryan, has made a record-breaking debut at the box office, garnering an impressive Rs 36.60 crore on its opening day. Directed by famed filmmaker Anees Bazmee, the horror-comedy has managed to not only exceed expectations but also set a new career milestone for Aaryan, outshining the opening record of ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2,’ which stood at Rs 14.11 crore.
Renowned trade analyst Taran Adarsh praised the film’s remarkable success, stating that it has significantly surpassed all projections. He described it as a “huge success, exceeding all expectations and calculations by a significant margin.”
For director Anees Bazmee, this triumph represents his most successful debut to date at the box office, marking a landmark achievement in his illustrious career. Likewise, it is the highest-grossing opening for producer Bhushan Kumar in 2024, further cementing the film’s stellar performance in cinema history.
A detailed examination of the box office numbers reveals an impressive trajectory for Aaryan, highlighting his string of successive hits. The journey began with ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ at a staggering Rs 36.60 crore, followed by ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’ with Rs 14.11 crore, ‘Love Aaj Kal’ (2020) at Rs 12.40 crore, ‘SatyaPrem Ki Katha’ (2023) with a Rs 9.25 crore opening on a Thursday, and ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’ (2019), drawing Rs 9.10 crore.
‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ particularly excelled at major cinema chains such as PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, with an impressive Rs 15.91 crore coming from these venues alone.
. This marks yet another feather in the cap for the franchise, reinforcing Kartik Aaryan’s dominance as a major box office draw.
The film is not only a third installment in the successful ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ franchise but also the third horror-comedy hit of 2024, joining the success stories of ‘Munjya’ and ‘Stree 2.’ The upward trend in audience interest in horror-comedy movies bodes well for the genre’s future prospects.
Alongside Aaryan, the film boasts a star-studded cast including Madhuri Dixit Nene, Vidya Balan, and Triptii Dimri. The synergy among the experienced cast members played a pivotal role in the film’s flourishing reception.
The ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ franchise began its journey in 2007 with the first part featuring Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan. Meanwhile, the second offering in 2022 introduced Kartik Aaryan, Kiara Advani, and Tabu, branching out into an intriguing sequel that further cultivated its loyal fan base.
Released during the festive Diwali season, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ faces some stiff competition at the box office, clashing notably with Rohit Shetty’s highly-anticipated ‘Singham Again.’ This film, brimming with star power, boasts an ensemble cast including powerhouse performers like Ajay Devgn, Arjun Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, and Tiger Shroff.
The neck-to-neck competition with ‘Singham Again’ intensifies the stakes for both films, providing cinephiles with a rich slate of entertainment options. The concurrent release exemplifies how Bollywood’s heavy hitters share the spotlight during lucrative holiday periods, tapping into large audiences simultaneously.
Bazmee meticulously directed this latest chapter in the series, carrying forward the legacy of its successful predecessors. The continuation of the ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ narrative through consistent elements of humor and horror, combined with fresh, exciting spins, contributes significantly to its thriving popularity.
As these two cinematic giants duel it out in theaters, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Indian audience is poised for a spectacular season of cinema. With ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ leading the charge with unprecedented opening figures and ‘Singham Again’ vying closely for the top spot, the film industry yet again witnesses the magic of mainstream Bollywood cinema unfold. As anticipation builds, the audience eagerly awaits to witness how these titans perform in the coming weeks, shaping up to be one of the most thrilling box-office battles of the year.
