Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 triumphs against all odds - A modern David vs. Goliath tale that will go down as one of Bollywood’s BIGGEST surprises!

This Diwali, the Bollywood box office saw one of its biggest showdowns yet, as Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (BB3) went head-to-head with Singham Again (SA), led by Ajay Devgn and an ensemble cast of Bollywood heavyweights including Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Tiger Shroff, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff. The star-studded Singham Again came with overwhelming industry weight, and early polling and screen distribution suggested Kartik was up against seemingly impossible odds.Prior to the releases, polls heavily favored Singham Again. A Twitter poll by Bollywood Hungama on August 19, with 104,527 votes, revealed that 58.6% chose Singham Again as their first pick, while Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 garnered 40%, with a small portion interested in both or neither. Taran Adarsh conducted a second poll on October 19, showing even stronger support for Singham Again, with 77.1% of 109,374 voters choosing it as their first choice.The statistics going into this clash were daunting for Kartik. The stars of Singham Again are stalwarts of the industry, collectively delivering close to 50+ films that crossed the 100-crore mark. Kartik, in comparison, had just two 100-crore grossers in his career before Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.Despite the challenges, Kartik’s decision to stand his ground and release BB3 in direct competition with such a mammoth release demonstrated his growing confidence in his fanbase and the lasting appeal of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise. Despite these indicators, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 put up significant box office numbers that not only surprised but also sent shockwaves in the industry.In terms of box office collections, Singham Again led with an impressive opening day of ₹43.70 crore, while Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 followed closely at ₹36.60 crore. In all honesty, no one expected Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 to open with these numbers – the opening day was predicted around ₹20 crore mark. The gap between the films remained tight over the weekend, with Singham Again closing its opening weekend with ₹125 crore, while Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 posted a respectable ₹110.20 crore. By the end of week one, Singham Again had reached ₹186.60 crore, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 was not far behind at ₹168.86 crore - a difference of just ₹16 crore in India nett collections. No one in the trade or the audience thought this would be possible. But it did happen.The combined box office earnings could have reached a higher cumulative total, with both films having the opportunity to surpass individual milestones more comfortably if not released together. Instead of the estimated Rs. 80-90 crore loss due to shared viewership, both films could have collectively grossed that much or more as additional revenue.The overseas numbers also demonstrated Kartik’s remarkable appeal beyond India, with BB3 performing nearly neck-to-neck with Singham Again. This unexpected performance reveals Kartik’s ever-growing popularity and the strength of his solo presence, even against the industry’s biggest stars.While Kartik may not have the track record of his Singham Again competitors, his decision to release Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 alongside them was a bold declaration of his belief in his work and his dedication to his audience. In an industry where solo stardom is often overshadowed by ensemble casts, Kartik’s refusal to back down and his ability to hold his ground at the box office underscore his rise as a Bollywood powerhouse. His decision to go head-to-head with such a massive franchise wasn’t just about competition; it was a testament to his conviction and determination to carve his own niche and put his Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise against the Singham franchise.This Diwali, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 didn’t just challenge Singham Again; it redefined the rules of box office success. Kartik’s performance demonstrated that solo stardom is alive and thriving in Bollywood, with audiences rallying behind his unique brand of charm and charisma. Against the backdrop of Singham Again’s impressive multi-star lineup and initial screen advantage, Kartik’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 has proven that in today’s Bollywood, talent, conviction, and fan loyalty can bridge the gap against seemingly insurmountable odds.In a true David vs. Goliath story, the Singham Again vs. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 clash has exemplified Kartik Aaryan’s audacity and rising star power. He has defied both the numbers and the skeptics, pushing BB3 to a near-tie in box office collections by the end of week one, proving his growing appeal. This wasn’t just a battle of films; it was a testament to one man’s conviction, standing tall against industry titans and emerging victorious in his own right. Kartik’s journey with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 will be remembered as one of the biggest surprises in Bollywood - a reminder that, with grit and the love of fans, even the toughest odds can be overcome.Also Read: Kartik Aaryan celebrates Children’s Day with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 special screening for NGO kids, watch