Bhooth Bangla did good business in paid previews as it clocked up figures in the 3.25 crore nett range. It was shows post 9 Pm only but it had good occupancy especially in Mumbai circuit (both Maharashtra and Gujarat). The opening on day one is also good enough taking into account the film had paid previews which would have taken some of the initial opening day business into paid previews.

The film needed a double digit opening and it would have hit that mark if the film never had paid previews and now it is certain to get there if we include paid previews but it remains to be seen if the opening day itself can get there. It would be a good result if the film can get 10 crore nett on day one after these paid previews.

It would actually be the best opening result for an Akshay Kumar starrer in recent times as films like Housefull 5 and Jolly LLB 3 were established franchises where expectations were higher. This is an original film so the initial is a positive and its about going on from here. The initial means that if the film has merits it will do well and that should be the target of every film which has a star in it. There have been so many films in the last few years that could not even work if they had some merit due to the initial.

Bhooth Bangla is likely to be a more Mumbai circuit film which could be seen from the look of the film and generally films directed by Priyadarshan from a Gardish / Virasat in the 90's to the Garam Masala / Bhool Bhulaiyaa in 2000's were Mumbai circuit heavy. Its looks the same here as the circuit again has a heavy contribution in paid previews and remains to be seen if the other circuits can do better over the weekend.

Bhooth Bangla is a start of a crucial period of 3 months for the industry which will see many of these medium sized films release and its the result of these films which will shape up sentiment in the film industry in the near term. Bhoot Bangla is a positive start to the period with these initial results.