Why Salman Khan vacated his April slot for Battle Of Galwan to help Akshay Kumar meet massive Bhooth Bangla demand

Akshay Kumar's Bhooth Bangla moves to April 2026, while Salman Khan's Battle of Galwan shifts to August to avoid a clash and ensure accuracy, highlighting the stars' professional friendship.

Bhooth Bangla; Battle of Galwan

In a significant reshuffle of the 2026 Bollywood theatrical calendar, the upcoming horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla starring Akshay Kumar, will now be released on April 10, 2026. A little over a month earlier than planned, the film will now premiere on May 15, 2026. Reportedly, Salman Khan's highly anticipated war epic Battle of Galwan will not release in the middle of April because the production needs and all regulatory permits have not been met.

What prompted the decision to move Bhooth Bangla's release up?

The excellent response to early promotional material reportedly prompted the decision to release Bhooth Bangla earlier than expected. An individual familiar with the project said that the decision to push back the release date was motivated by the overwhelmingly positive response from the audience.

According to the insider, Kumar chose to reschedule Bhooth Bangla due to the tremendous response from audiences and the ongoing demand from fans for the film. The source also added that the plan all along was to release the film to the public at the optimal time.

ALSO READ: Akshay Kumar’s Bhooth Bangla was originally Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2? Here’s what we know

How did Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar avoid a box office clash?

In addition to drawing attention to the scheduling change, it has also highlighted an unusually open and honest exchange between two of the biggest personalities in the business. According to a report in Bollywood Hungama, insiders claim that Khan and Kumar maintained open communication about their projects to prevent any potential drama at the box office. Battle of Galwan was previously slated for an April 17, 2026, release, just one week after the new date for Bhooth Bangla.

Since they are friends, Kumar and Khan are open and honest with each other about everything. They are candid and open with each other, in contrast to the reticent group of new-age actors. The source told the entertainment portal that Kumar asked Khan if Battle of Galwan is happening on April 17, and the latter confirmed that things are difficult due to the pending approvals from the Ministry of Defence.

Is there any rivalry between Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar?

Professional animosity was noticeably absent from the discussion, according to sources within the industry. The source also added that it was a really positive discussion, and there is fully zero rivalry between the two of them. They are tremendously supportive of one another and hold each other in high regard. They could end up in a two-hero film together if the script is excellent.

The next one-week filming schedule for Battle of Galwan at Mumbai's Golden Tobacco Factory began today, February 9. Khan plays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu in the film. The postponement is due to the fact that the film had to be reshot and screened for the Ministry of Defence to guarantee that the facts about the 2020 Galwan Valley confrontation were accurate. Now, the Independence Day weekend is the one the film is supposedly aiming for.

Which new holiday window is Battle of Galwan targeting?

Indeed, reports have it that the release date of Battle Of Galwan has been pushed back to August 14, 2026. The producers and Khan think it would be a better date because August 15 is India's Independence Day. The production source mentioned that, during this time, there would be a surge of patriotic fervour, making Battle of Galwan the perfect film to enjoy.

Following a 14-year hiatus, Kumar's Bhooth Bangla marks a triumphant reunion with Priyadarshan directing. Tabu, who is reuniting with Kumar after a 25-year break, is part of an ensemble cast that also includes Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, and Rajpal Yadav.

What is the official strategic reasoning for Bhooth Bangla's date change?

Officially, the makers of Bhooth Bangla said that, with the shift in its release date, they aim to tap into a favourable theatrical window while avoiding box office congestion when asked about the strategic reasoning behind the change. According to this strategy, Kumar has always given his films a respectable run in theatres, giving viewers plenty of time to immerse themselves in the films' journeys at the box office.

Bhooth Bangla FAQs:

Q: What is the new release date for Akshay Kumar’s Bhooth Bangla?

A: Bhooth Bangla is now scheduled to hit theaters on April 10, 2026. The horror-comedy was originally slated for May 15, 2026, but was brought forward by the makers due to high audience anticipation and a strategic opening in the theatrical calendar.

Q: Why was Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan postponed?

A: Battle of Galwan has been moved from its April 17 slot to August 14, 2026. The delay is attributed to ongoing reshoots at Mumbai’s Golden Tobacco Factory and the mandatory requirement for the film to be screened and cleared by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to ensure factual accuracy regarding the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.

Q: Who is the director of Bhooth Bangla and who stars in it?

A: Bhooth Bangla is directed by the legendary Priyadarshan, marking his reunion with Akshay Kumar after 14 years. The ensemble cast includes Tabu (reuniting with Akshay after 25 years), Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, and Rajpal Yadav.

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