Singham Again vs. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3: The Battle Over Screen Count, Sold-Out Shows & More

Ziya Khan October 28, 2024Last Updated: October 28, 2024

As the release date approaches, the competition for screen space between Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again is heating up, with the former seemingly securing a favorable position thanks to a strong distributor partnership with Anil Thadani. Current trends indicate that Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is set to achieve nearly equal visibility alongside Singham Again in single screens and non-national chains. However, in the major national chains like PVRInox and Cinepolis, Singham Again is projected to dominate with a ratio of approximately 58:42, with PVRInox leaning towards 60:40 and Cinepolis negotiating for 55:45.

Though there are still four days to go, the landscape may shift as major industry players could intervene to influence the distribution strategy for Singham Again. Currently, the national showcasing ratio sits at 54:46 in favor of Singham Again, which is a significant win for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, especially against a heavyweight like Singham Again. Nevertheless, negotiations for enhanced showcasing opportunities are ongoing for Singham Again.The battle now focuses on achieving an all-India showcasing ratio of 57:43, and we will have a clearer picture of the show distribution between the cop saga and the horror-comedy by Thursday evening. Advance bookings for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 have opened at select locations, while clarity on Singham Again‘s bookings is still awaited.

When considering opening day box office potential, the top three national chains—PVRInox and Cinepolis—are expected to generate around Rs 52 crore (nett), with single screens and non-national chains contributing approximately Rs 48 crore to the overall revenue. This projection reflects the increased pricing model for the Diwali 2024 weekend. Of the Rs 53 crore available in the top three national chains (based on a 57:43 split), Singham Again is anticipated to pull in Rs 30 crore, while Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 aims for Rs 22 crore. In the single screens and non-national chains, the expected distribution is around 53:47, with Singham Again targeting approximately Rs 26 crore and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 seeking Rs 22 crore.The stakes are high, not only to secure an additional Rs 5 crore in capacity but also to diminish the competitor’s full-house potential by the same amount.