Box office: Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is on its way to becoming a hit

Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani's Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) made an opening day collection of a decent Rs14 crore nett. The film continued its strong showing through its first weekend. What’s more, it has not recorded a major fall on its first Monday either. According to trade website BoxoOfficeIndia.com, the film clocked a first weekend business of about 54.50 crore.

With the trade predicting Monday's collection to be about Rs10 crore, the film's total collection in the first four days is likely to reach a cool Rs64 crore.

Talking about the film’s performance, Manoj Desai, executive director, G7 multiplex and Maratha Mandir cinema, told Cinestaan.com, “A star like Ranveer Singh did not work [with Jayeshbhai Jordaar], Ajay Devgn did not work with Runway 34, Akshay Kumar’s Bachchhan Paandey also did not work. Kartik Aaryan is a new boy in a way, and including today’s Rs10 crore collection, the total business will be nearly Rs65 crore. The film’s budget is also Rs65 crore. So, the budget will be recovered today itself and from here on whatever the film makes will be its profit.”

Contrary to some reports, ticket prices for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 were not reduced at single screens, according to Desai. And a quick look at the ticket booking portal BookMyShow.com suggests there was no major cut in prices at multiplexes like PVR and Inox either.

Trade expert Taran Adarsh said that irrespective of ticket prices, a film does well only if the content is good. “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 has done well for many reasons," he explained. "Firstly, it has wholesome entertainment and a perfect mix of horror and comedy. Secondly, it has two hit songs, the title track and ‘Ami Je Tomar’. And lastly, it holds you till the end, the twist in the end is really good.

"Then. of course, the freshness that Kartik and Kiara bring to the table is very good. Some characters like Manjulika and Rajpal Yadav’s character have got a bit of familiarity which is why people are keen to watch it and they are surprised to see the twists and an all-new story."

On the other hand, the Kangana Ranaut-starrer Dhaakad (2022) has tanked, so many theatres have replaced its shows with those of other films. Desai confirmed that at Galaxy in the G7 multiplex, KGF: Chapter 2 (2022) has been brought back and Dhaakad has been shifted to the smaller Gemini. The shows of Dhaakad at Gaiety, another big theatre in the G7 multiplex, have been replaced by Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2.

The trade expects Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 to continue to hold well at the box office for the next few weeks, considering the strong word of mouth.