Diwali Showdown: Ajay Devgn’s Singham Again Holds the Edge, but Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Might Surprise

Ziya Khan October 31, 2024Last Updated: October 31, 2024

This Diwali marks a return to box office competition, as two major Bollywood films are set to release on the same day after a few years of avoiding clashes. Ajay Devgn’s Singham Again will go head-to-head with Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, igniting buzz in the trade. Exhibitors are optimistic that this dual release could create a “Barbenheimer effect,” helping to mitigate some of the financial losses experienced this year. Both films will hit theaters on November 1 and will be screened across more than 6,000 screens nationwide during the festive weekend.

Singham Again, a part of Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe, is expected to dominate the screen count, securing approximately 60% of available screens, while Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 will claim the remaining 40%.Trade analysts predict strong openings for both films, with Singham Again estimated to earn between ₹40-45 crore, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 projected to bring in around ₹20-25 crore on its first day. Ashish Kanakia, CEO of MovieMax Cinema, expressed optimism about the potential for both films to attract diverse audiences, stating, “Each film caters to large, loyal fanbases with distinct styles. This could be a pivotal moment for the exhibition sector as festival releases typically draw audiences in large numbers.” However, there are concerns among exhibitors about the clash. Vishek Chauhan, a Bihar-based exhibitor, hopes for a scenario where both films thrive.

He noted that Singham Again is part of a more established franchise and may attract larger crowds at single screens due to its mass appeal, while the competition will be more balanced in multiplexes. Amit Sharma, MD of Miraj Entertainment Limited, remarked on the potential impact of the competition, suggesting both films could achieve lifetime collections exceeding ₹1,000 crore. Senior distributor Raj Bansal estimated that the combined first-day earnings could reach ₹90 crore, but he cautioned that the films are releasing on Diwali pujan day, traditionally one of the weakest for box office sales.

At a recent event, Kartik Aaryan expressed confidence in the simultaneous release, emphasizing that two films can coexist during such a significant holiday. He noted the contrasting genres—Singham Again as an action film and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 as a horror comedy—create an exciting opportunity for audiences.