'Dhurandhar is an adult film; families need this': Akshay Kumar on providing a 'clean' alternative with Bhooth Bangla

Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan reunite for Bhooth Bangla (Apr 10), a family horror-comedy offering a "clean" alternative to the violent, record-breaking spy thriller Dhurandhar: The Revenge.

Akshay Kumar in a still from Bhooth Bangla; Ranveer Singh in a still from Dhurandhar: The Revenge

While intense spy thrillers and grim action sagas continue to dominate the Indian box office, Akshay Kumar is set to return to his comic side. The industry is going wild over his next project, Bhooth Bangla which is a collaboration with the renowned director Priyadarshan and is set to debut on April 10.

How does this long-awaited reunion differ from past cult classics?

The duo hasn't worked together in over 16 years, so this film is a huge reunion for them. Despite initial similarities to their 2007 cult hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa the actor has been forthright about the new horror-comedy's unique identity, which draws more from the fantasy and black magic subgenres.

Currently, Dhurandhar: The Revenge is completely dominating the theatre scene. Since its debut on March 19, the spy thriller starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar has redefined market benchmarks. Building on the ₹1300 crore lifetime triumph of the original Dhurandhar released in late 2025, the sequel has made an astounding ₹850 crore internationally in just five days.

ALSO READ: Priyadarshan calls Akshay Kumar his 'lucky' charm for Bhooth Bangla; Reveals, 'Film is rooted in fantasy and folklore'

How does Akshay Kumar view the divide between family films and adult actioners?

Kumar recently spoke with PTI, a news agency, on the difficulty of producing a family-friendly film in a time when adult-orientated, violent "mass" actioners are the main currency. "There are different kinds of films (being made). Dhurandhar is a great film; I've seen it. This (Bhooth Bangla) is a different film. Dhurandhar is an adult film; this (Bhooth Bangla) is for kids and families," the actor said, ignoring the notion of a deliberate change in direction.

Known for its graphic violence and three hours and 52 minutes of running duration, the Dhurandhar franchise has been a giant hit, yet Kumar has remained consistent in his artistic decisions. Bhooth Bangla was not made in response to market analytics, he said; rather, it was an expression of dedication to the screenplay.

What was the core philosophy behind Bhooth Bangla’s production?

“When we made this film, we didn't look at what the current trend is; we looked at whether the story was good or not, and accordingly, we made this film. We never thought about the trend,” the actor noted.

Hera Pheri and Garam Masala director Priyadarshan shared this view. According to him, moviegoers are open to all kinds of genres, including horror comedy and intense action.

Can lighthearted comedy succeed alongside gritty action sagas?

“Films like Dhurandhar and Border 2 are all doing extremely well, and all of a sudden, when you take a break and do something different, it is great. People who watch films like Dhurandhar can also enjoy it," Priyadarshan said.

The ensemble cast of Bhooth Bangla is an attempt to bring back fond memories while also introducing new faces. Reuniting the fundamental humorous energy of the mid-2000s, the film stars Kumar alongside Tabu, Paresh Rawal, and Rajpal Yadav. Reportedly pulling off several daring feats herself, Wamiqa Gabbi joins the cast in a key role.

Will Bhooth Bangla serve as the perfect counter-programming for families?

Making its debut this April, the film is touted as the main family attraction. The industry is keeping a careful eye on Kumar's return to the horror-comedy genre to see if it will deliver the "clean" counter-programming that families have been craving while Dhurandhar 2 maintains its record-breaking run.

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