Mumbai: Indian cinema experienced a thrilling development as Kartik Aaryan’s newest venture, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’, set the box office on fire with a staggering Rs 36.60 crore on its first day, establishing a new benchmark in the actor’s flourishing career. This horror-comedy, under the deft direction of Anees Bazmee, not only exceeded the towering expectations but also eclipsed the records set by Aaryan’s previous films, notably the 2022 hit ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’, which had garnered Rs 14.11 crore on its opening day.
Esteemed trade analyst Taran Adarsh couldn’t hide his enthusiasm, describing the film as “an overwhelming success, surpassing projections and leaving its mark with a massive margin.” This enormous opening has spotlighted Anees Bazmee, celebrating his most successful box office debut to date. Concurrently, it stands out as the top-grossing initial release for producer Bhushan Kumar in 2024, cementing Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’s place in cinematic history.
The day-1 showdown saw Aaryan besting his own previous records, as chronicled by Adarsh. His past hits include ‘Love Aaj Kal’ in 2020 with Rs 12.40 crore and ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’ in 2019 raking in Rs 9.10 crore.
Significantly, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’s opening day receipts were bolstered by strong performances in prime cinema chains—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—amassing Rs 15.91 crore from these key venues alone. This trend positions the film as the third successful horror-comedy of the year, joining ranks with other notable 2024 films like ‘Munjya’ and ‘Stree 2’.
. Such success reflects a growing appetite for this genre and could inspire more creative undertakings in similar narrative styles.
Starring alongside Kartik Aaryan are celebrated actors Madhuri Dixit Nene, Vidya Balan, and Triptii Dimri, each bringing flair and depth to their roles. Notably, Anees Bazmee returns to direct, having previously helmed ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’, thereby ensuring continuity and creative consistency within the expanding franchise.
As the third release in the widely loved Bhool Bhulaiyaa series, the film pays homage to its origins. The franchise began its journey in 2007 with Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan leading the cast, followed by the second installment in 2022 with contributions from Kiara Advani and Tabu. With Aaryan now at the helm, the series reinvigorates its storyline for a new generation of viewers.
Released during the festive Diwali season, a prime opportunity for competitive cinema viewership, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ faces an intriguing cinematic rivalry—from Rohit Shetty’s anticipated action-packed hit ‘Singham Again’. This competing film is notable for its star-studded lineup, boasting appearances by Bollywood luminaries such as Ajay Devgn, Arjun Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, and Tiger Shroff. This box-office clash adds an additional layer of excitement and intrigue for the audience, sparking conversations and increasing foot traffic in theaters.
The pronounced box office triumph of ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’, which highlights Kartik Aaryan’s rising star power, suggests a bright future for him and the creative talents driving this successful franchise. As industry watchers and fans alike pore over the numbers, the success stories of both ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ and ‘Singham Again’ illustrate the dynamism and drama that continue to draw worldwide audiences to Indian cinema’s storytelling magic.
In conclusion, the runaway success of ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ sets new precedents in comedic horror films and opens doors to further sequels within this celebrated film universe. With its record-setting debut, the movie has undeniably left a lasting impression, just as it charts out new horizons for Bollywood’s ever-evolving narrative landscape.
