The horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla by Akshay Kumar and Wamiqa Gabbi has been on the popular radar, virtually and on-screen since it’s revealed. But as with any major movie, the emphasis started changing soon after the release, and the movie is now ready to receive airplay on Netflix after it is released theatrically.
This makes Netflix the official film digital partner for Bhooth Bangla, through which they receive post-theatrical streaming rights. It remains as yet unclear as to when it will have its OTT release date but is estimated to kick-off on streaming the film about one to one and a half months after the date on which the movie was released in theaters.
Netflix, perhaps in June-July 2023, with the film releasing then. Travel also came with its twists for Bhooth Bangla. The film, which was originally slated to enter theaters April 10, debuted on April 16, after paid previews had been released.
Not that the trailer failed to offer a peek at what Akshay Kumar will bring to the horror-comedy world, where major box office hits used to be one of the big guns in the box office. It opened on 8,127 screens at the box office. Initial revenue was approximately ₹5.03 crore with gross collection of ₹10.14 crore and net collections of around ₹8.53 crore. While these figures sound nice (they surely do), the film has been upstaged heavily (it’s the only cash cow) by ticket-laden hit releases such as Dhurandhar 2, which won’t diminish anytime soon.
Apart from the box office figures, the quality of the film is only as good as the overall public interest (OTT), where an audience at large would want the film to be available. Netflix and its ilk on streaming services also give films another fresh look at life.
Nowhere is this more true than with horror comedy -the genre in general is successful at home cinema. With a well-received supporting cast, a strong digital partner, and a growing interest from viewers, Bhooth Bangla has everything to make the most of its presence.
Whether or not it will sustain this kind of momentum in a challenging environment is beyond view but the timing of its new OTT release assuredly means it will for the most part continue to come up front.
