Hyderabad: Diwali 2023 has transformed into a cinematic spectacle with the simultaneous release of two major films, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again, attracting huge audiences. Both movies capitalized on the festive holidays, setting the stage for an exciting box office showdown.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, featuring Kartik Aaryan alongside Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit, directed by Anees Bazmee, opened with a remarkable collection of over ₹35.50 crore, marking Aaryan's best opener to date. This figure is nearly three times that of its predecessor, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which earned ₹13.45 crore in 2022. The film had a robust screening presence with over 4,200 shows across India and a commendable occupancy rate of 75.30%.
In contrast, Singham Again, directed by Rohit Shetty and starring Ajay Devgn, opened to ₹43.50 crore, making it the biggest opener in the cop universe and Devgn's highest opening day collection. Despite not achieving the highest opening of 2024, it set a high bar in the action genre with a solid screening strategy.
With a combined opening day collection of ₹79 crore, both films highlight the strong demand for diverse genres in Indian cinema. As audiences enjoy these exciting releases, the competition at the box office promises to be fierce.