How Singham Again Lost ₹100 Crore: The Surprising Choice by Rohit Shetty that Changed Its Fate

In a year packed with big releases, Bollywood's action blockbuster Singham Again, directed by Rohit Shetty, hit the theaters with immense anticipation. With an all-star cast featuring Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Arjun Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff, fans expected the movie to make massive box office waves. However, it faced unexpected competition from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, led by Kartik Aaryan. This head-to-head release left both films vying for audience attention, sparking debates about the impact of major clashes at the box office.

Singham Again's Stellar Cast and Expectations

Singham Again brought together eight of Bollywood’s most popular actors in a high-octane film that built upon the success of the Singham franchise. With its release strategically timed around Diwali, the film was expected to capitalize on the holiday season. However, despite its star-studded ensemble and significant hype, Singham Again struggled to meet initial expectations.

The movie's first weekend earnings of around ₹121 crore seemed impressive at first glance. But given the film’s huge budget of approximately ₹350 crore, and the combined star power of its cast, these numbers fell short of predictions.

Meanwhile, Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 also premiered to solid attendance. Made on a comparatively modest budget of ₹150 crore, the film managed to rake in about ₹106 crore in its first weekend. Directed by Anees Bazmee, this horror-comedy franchise had previously won audiences’ hearts with its humor and thrills, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 continued that legacy successfully.

According to sources, Kartik Aaryan reportedly reached out to Rohit Shetty in September, requesting a shift in the release date of Singham Again to avoid the clash. This, he argued, would allow both films to maximize their opening and maintain momentum without splitting audience interest. However, no agreement was reached, and the two films were released simultaneously as scheduled.In addition to the domestic clash, both films saw similar overseas earnings of about ₹30 crore in three days. Had Singham Again released solo, the overseas box office figures might have been even more substantial, especially given the international fanbase for the Singham series. The mixed reviews and split audience attention clearly impacted Singham Again, raising questions about the efficacy of back-to-back releases among high-budget films.

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Looking Ahead: Lessons Learned for Bollywood Releases

This box office battle between Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 sheds light on an ongoing issue in Bollywood: the timing of film releases. Both movies boasted strong casts, popular franchises, and considerable hype. However, the clash resulted in a divided audience, possibly hampering both films' ultimate potential.

For filmmakers, this could serve as a lesson in strategic scheduling, ensuring that releases don’t coincide and allowing each film the chance to shine on its own. While Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 each have their loyal fanbase, Bollywood enthusiasts are left wondering what might have happened if these two hits had debuted separately.