Bhooth Bangla Sets Post-COVID Record As Southern Blockbusters Cross Major Milestones

Akshay Kumar's horror-comedy *Bhooth Bangla* has rewritten box office history on its 51st day, emerging as his highest-grossing post-pandemic release. Simultaneously, South Indian blockbusters continue their dominant theatrical runs, with Suriya and Trisha's fantasy-action epic *Karuppu* crossing the monumental Rs 300 crore gross milestone worldwide in its fourth week. Mohanlal's suspense thriller *Drishyam 3* also recorded a massive 62.5% jump on its 17th day, pushing its global gross past Rs 232 crore.

Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor's Telugu action drama *Peddi* has crossed Rs 233 crore globally in just four days. However, the film's massive commercial success has reignited an industry-wide debate over the objectification and portrayal of female characters in South Indian cinema, with actress Nithya Menen and other critics reacting to the controversial framing. Meanwhile, Anurag Kashyap's gritty crime thriller *Bandar*, starring Bobby Deol, struggled heavily over its opening weekend, securing a meager domestic net of Rs 2.45 crore due to limited screens.

Following its historic theatrical run, *Bhooth Bangla* is scheduled to make its highly anticipated digital premiere on Netflix on June 12, 2026. This transition is expected to further boost its viewership alongside other regional hits transitioning to streaming networks. The sustained box office performance of these tentpole regional movies indicates robust viewer interest, even as filmmakers navigate intense public debates regarding progressive storytelling versus traditional commercial formulas.