The Bollywood box office is heating up as two blockbuster films are set to premiere on OTT platforms on the same day, challenging each other post theatrical release. The horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, starring Kartik Aaryan among others, will clash with the action-packed Singham Again, featuring Ajay Devgn and other notable stars, on December 27, 2024.
On Diwali, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again went head-to-head at theatres, resulting in significant box office collections for both, even as critics provided mixed reviews. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 raked in over Rs 417 crore (approximately $50 million) worldwide, marking it as a commercial success. Meanwhile, Singham Again followed closely, grossing about Rs 389.64 crore ($47 million), making both films noteworthy contenders.
Prime Video took to Instagram to announce the OTT premiere of Singham Again, teasing audiences with the phrase, "Brace yourselves for the lion’s roar." This action-thriller, which brings together several beloved characters from Rohit Shetty's Cop Universe, compels action movie fans to mark their calendars.
Not to be outdone, Netflix announced on its platform the release of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 with a playful jab from Kartik Aaryan, hinting at holiday surprises. The first trailers and promotional clips, like the one stating, "TUDUM: @kartikaaryan has an X-mas surprise for you! Coming soon," have successfully generated buzz around its upcoming streaming date.
Interestingly, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is setting itself up for OTT success after its theatrical run, but the stakes are high as both films vie for viewers’ attention. While Singham Again will air on Prime Video, reaching audiences right after its cinema release, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 has opted for Netflix, starting the streaming race with excitement.
Meanwhile, the newly released film Baby John starring Varun Dhawan debuted on December 25, 2024, with promising earnings at the box office. It made headlines on its opening day with impressive earnings of Rs 11.25 crore. Unfortunately, the film faced tough competition from Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2, which has continued its momentum undeterred, even weeks post-release, showcasing how fierce the competition is among Bollywood films this season.
By Day 2, Baby John saw its audience ticket sales dip markedly to around Rs 4.50 crore, with all eyes on the race against the hit sequel to Pushpa: The Rise, which collected approximately Rs 9.60 crore on the same day, reflecting its audience-friendly reception.
Directed by Kalees, Baby John, features Wamiqa Gabbi, Keerthy Suresh, and Jackie Shroff, and is based on the Tamil blockbuster Theri. The film, though it ranks as Dhawan’s best opening film over the last five years, still has not been able to hold its footing against the already established Pushpa 2.
Currently, Pushpa 2 has reportedly surpassed the Rs 1119.2 crore mark, sustaining its impressive box office performance. It showcases diverse linguistic contributions to its total gross, with Hindi and Telugu compelling most sales, affirming the vast audience reach.
These box office battles reveal the changing dynamics and rising competition within Bollywood, particularly during the holiday season, as multiple high-profile releases make their way to theatres month after month. It emphasizes the expectations filmmakers and actors have for their work, not only to perform well during the opening weekends but also to sustain interest over subsequent weeks.
With OTT options soon available for films once dominating the box office, moviegoers are set for exciting cinematic content both on screen and online. It definitely raises the question of whether the challenge of back-to-back releases will strain audiences or enliven them with diverse viewing experiences. The industry now awaits to see which films and stars will carry the audience's hearts—and their wallets—into the new year.
