With a star-studded affair, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again wanted to be the ultimate Diwali clash at the box office but left the Janta feeling rather underwhelmed!
Diwali releases featuring two major films clashing at the box office have long been a tradition in Bollywood, generating excitement and anticipation among the audience. This festive showdown often mirrors the symbolic battle of Diwali itself, celebrating the victory of good over evil. Over the years, we’ve witnessed some legendary box office duels, and this year was no different with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again going head-to-head. This year’s clash seemed like the perfect recipe for success—not only did we have two star-studded films, but also two franchises with devoted fan bases, each continuing the legacies of their earlier, highly popular instalments.
The timing was also fortuitous, with a long holiday weekend allowing us to recreate the #Barbenheimer trend, which encouraged audiences to embrace both competing films rather than choosing just one. Additionally, Halloween coinciding with Diwali offered an interesting thematic contrast: Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 brought a spooky, horror-comedy twist, while Singham Again evoked the epic battle of the Ramayana. It felt like an ideal blend of Diwali’s traditionalism with Halloween’s eerie vibes. However, despite all the buzz, both films ultimately fell short of expectations.
While the box office numbers appear strong, largely due to the presence of Bollywood’s biggest stars and the anticipation of these new sequels, the impact these films had on Janta felt notably underwhelming. Many moviegoers showed up expecting grand spectacles but were left disappointed by the lack of dhamaka (explosive magic) that the original films in these franchises delivered.Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, despite banking heavily on its beloved characters like Manjulika and Rooh Baba, seemed to lack the organic magic of the first film, with the Janta missing the charm of Akshay Kumar’sDr Aditya Srivastav, which made the original a classic. Meanwhile, Singham Again tried to capitalize on its cop-universe concept but missed capturing the raw energy of Ajay Devgn’s iconic Bajirao Singham, leaving fans yearning for the intensity and emotional depth of the earlier films.
The audience's disappointment was palpable, with many lamenting their experience and feeling that both films missed their potential to become festival blockbusters. The excitement around seeing stars like Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, and Madhuri Dixit on screen in these grand cinematic moments was clouded by weak storytelling and uninspired execution. While the actors brought their usual star power, the films lacked the emotional or thematic punch that is often expected during a Diwali release.
That said, there were still some enjoyable moments that the Janta felt were scattered throughout both films. In Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, the climax stood out for its unpredictability, giving the Janta something meaningful to take back. And in Singham Again, Ranveer Singh’s energetic and comedic performance provided much-needed relief in an otherwise formulaic film. Despite these highlights, the films couldn’t fully capture the spirit of the festive season. Both missed the mark in creating memorable cinematic experiences that could stand the test of time, especially during Diwali, when audiences are eager for joy, celebration, and larger-than-life storytelling. While fans might have hoped for a return to form for these beloved franchises, this year’s releases serve as a reminder that even big-budget spectacles need heart and depth to resonate truly.
I like Karthik Aryan. I do. But it’s incredibly unfair to call Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 a “solo opener” and credit him with the success. He has 2 of the best actresses with him in this film. The same happened with BB2 (Tabu). I watched BB3 in theaters for Madhuri & Vidya - not Karthik.
This is how I feel when BHOOL BHULAIYAA is ruined for making money.#AkshayKumar as dr Aditya Srivastav will be always special ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/4RAocidMYe
Here's what the janta is saying about Singham Again!
Watched “Singham Again” , again with family क्योंकि मैं चाहती थी कि IMAX में माँ-बाप वो ही फ़िल्म दिखाऊँगी जो अच्छी हो and they don’t watch english films😃
Ranveer Singh hands down was the best & the most entertaining part about #SinghamAgain. He was really really funny as Simmba and it was so much fun whenever he was on screen. His comedy actually saved the vibe in 2nd half and singlehandedly lifts the film. pic.twitter.com/8e58KNZBal
Literally without them the movie would be dull & more boring. Ranveer’s comic timing is too good. The entire hall was laughing. Deepika showed her different ranges. We need more of #LadySingham & #Simba 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/A8cvQ3g8PV
/socialketchup/media/agency_attachments/oTmmYmTemGaSn2TxEWbL.png)
/socialketchup/media/media_files/2024/10/29/5nWH2wX9bJ525bXgAc73.png)
Follow Us/socialketchup/media/media_files/2024/11/07/LscoYePWqKnH21rj2JFp.png)