In a close box office battle on opening day, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 has edged out Singham Again in New Zealand. Despite a larger screen count for Singham Again, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 pulled in higher per-screen averages, giving it a slight lead.
Both films had a modest start by big-ticket Bollywood standards, with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 raking in $NZ23,407 and Singham Again close behind at $NZ19,664 on November 1.
Trade analysts point to the timing of the Diwali festival as a major factor. With Diwali falling on November 1, many people were occupied at home with puja and celebrations, affecting the usual rush of moviegoers for blockbuster premieres. Diwali festivities traditionally draw families together for rituals and celebrations, keeping many away from theaters and contributing to a quieter box office than expected.
Despite this, both films managed to attract considerable attention. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, starring Kartik Aaryan, brought back the franchise’s signature horror-comedy blend, which seems to have struck a chord with fans who flocked to catch the latest spooky thrills.
On the other hand, Singham Again, featuring Ajay Devgn’s iconic cop avatar, had its own solid following, with fans eager to see the next high-octane chapter of this action-packed series.
With both films neck and neck and plenty of potential viewers likely to catch up post-Diwali, the weekend is shaping up to be a close contest. For now, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 holds a slender lead, but as Diwali festivities wind down, industry insiders will be watching closely to see if Singham Again can surge ahead.