Entertainment
Akshay Kumar–Priyadarshan films: A look at their box office track record before Bhooth Bangla
A hit comedy duo returns
The iconic actor-director duo of Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan has delivered some of Bollywood’s most loved comedy films over the past two decades.
As they reunite for their seventh collaboration, Bhooth Bangla, expectations are high. Before diving into their latest project, here’s a look at how their previous films performed at the box office.
💰 Box office journey: From cult hits to commercial success
🎥 Hera Pheri (2000)
- Collection: ₹12.35 crore
- Started their collaboration
- Became a cult classic over time despite modest earnings
🎥 Garam Masala (2005)
- Collection: ₹29.02 crore
- A major commercial success
- Won Akshay Kumar widespread acclaim for comic timing
🎥 Bhagam Bhag (2006)
- Collection: ₹40.25 crore
- Strengthened their box office momentum
- Known for fast-paced humour and ensemble cast
🎥 Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)
- Collection: ₹49.11 crore
- One of their biggest hits
- Successfully blended horror and comedy
🎥 De Dana Dan (2009)
- Collection: ₹48.08 crore
- Strong opening and solid commercial run
- Multi-starrer chaos comedy
🎥 Khatta Meetha (2010)
- Collection: ₹38.67 crore
- Slight dip compared to previous films
- Still performed decently at the box office
📊 Overall trend
- Consistent box office growth from 2000 to 2007
- Peak phase with Bhool Bhulaiyaa
- Slight fluctuations afterward
- Strong recall value due to cult comedy appeal
🎞️ About Bhooth Bangla
The duo’s latest film, Bhooth Bangla, released on April 16, 2026, with paid previews beginning at 9 PM.
What to expect:
- Blend of horror and comedy (a proven formula for the duo)
- Confusion-driven storytelling
- Ensemble cast and quirky characters
Cast includes:
- Akshay Kumar
- Wamiqa Gabbi
- Tabu
- Paresh Rawal
- Asrani
- Jisshu Sengupta
- Mithila Palkar
Production houses:
- Balaji Motion Pictures
- Cape of Good Films
📅 Release context
The film’s release was postponed from April 10 to April 16, reportedly due to strong box office performance of competing films, giving it a better window.
🧾 What makes this reunion special
The Akshay–Priyadarshan combination is known for:
- Clean, family-friendly comedy
- Memorable characters and dialogues
- High repeat value
Their films often perform better over time, gaining cult status even if initial earnings are moderate.
✅ Final takeaway
With a proven track record and strong audience nostalgia, Bhooth Bangla has the potential to revive the magic of one of Bollywood’s most successful comedy duos. Whether it matches the legacy of Bhool Bhulaiyaa or Hera Pheri will depend on audience reception in the coming days.