While Akshay Kumar’s horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla continues its steady run, at the box office, the newly released Hollywood biopic Michael has also managed to make its mark. Despite being in its second week, Bhooth Bangla is maintaining its grip on the domestic market, even as it faces fresh competition from Michael.

Akshay Kumar’s Bhooth Bangla Inches Closer to a Milestone

Bhooth Bangla, which reunites Akshay Kumar with director Priyadarshan after over a decade, has been liked by audiences. However, as it entered its second Monday, the film saw a predictable dip in numbers. On Day 11, the movie earned approximately Rs 3.5 crore, bringing its total domestic collection closer to the Rs 200 crore club.

Trade analysts have noted that the film’s performance remains strong for a horror-comedy. While the second Monday drop was noticeable, the film’s overall trajectory suggests it will comfortably cross the double-century mark by the end of the week. The trade experts noted, “The film has benefited from the nostalgic pairing of Akshay and Priyadarshan, which has brought family audiences back to the theatres.” 

Michael Makes a Strong Start, Challenges Competitors

On the other hand, the Michael Jackson biopic Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson, has completed its opening weekend in India with impressive figures. The film earned Rs 16 crore over its first three days. The biopic’s performance has been strong enough to outperform Indian films. Specifically, on its first weekend, Michael managed to outshine Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which is currently in its sixth week of release.

The biopic is not just competing with older releases but is also giving Bhooth Bangla a run for its money in premium formats and urban centres. The fascination with Michael Jackson’s life story appears to have translated into a solid opening for Jaafar Jackson, who makes his debut in the lead role. 

Also Read: Fresh Allegations Surface Against Michael Jackson As Four Siblings File Lawsuit

As Ramayana is trending right now, there is one detail from its first glimpse that has quietly caught everyone’s attention. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and backed by Namit Malhotra, along with DNEG and Monster Mind Creations, the film is being mounted as a grand two-part spectacle that aims to bring the epic to life on a truly global scale.

The first glimpse featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, left a strong impact with its visuals and tone. But beyond the scale, there is a subtle moment that stands out. A frame where everything fades into darkness, creating a pause that feels heavy and emotional. This isn’t just a visual choice, it is believed to hint at one of the most heartbreaking moments from the Ramayana.

The moment reflects the time when Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana were about to leave Ayodhya for exile. The city, which was once preparing for celebration, suddenly fell into silence. Even though Rama chose to leave quietly so that people would not be troubled, Ayodhya did not sleep that night. From every corner, people stepped out of their homes, gathering on the streets just to catch one last glimpse of their beloved king. There was no noise, just a shared emotion of love, pain, and devotion that filled the night.

Moments like these are what the film is trying to capture, blending scale with deep emotional storytelling. Alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi will be seen as Sita, Yash takes on the role of Ravana while Sunny Deol and Ravi Dubey step into the roles of Hanuman and Lakshman. Planned as a massive cinematic experience, the two-part film is set to release in IMAX, with Part 1 arriving in Diwali 2026 and Part 2 in Diwali 2027.

Read Also:Ramayana Part 1: First Glimpse Shows Ranbir Kapoor As Rama, Yash As Ravana

With Tamil Nadu awaiting the counting of votes on May 4 following the recently concluded Assembly elections, an unexpected incident at a Chennai counting centre has drawn attention. At Anna University in Kotturpuram, where Electronic Voting Machines have been secured under surveillance, a staff member assigned to monitor the strong room has reportedly been arrested for negligence and piracy.

Security Breach at Counting Centre Raises Questions

The individual, identified as Yuvaraj, was tasked with overseeing CCTV feeds to ensure the safety of the stored EVMs. However, a social media post that surfaced shortly after showed him watching a pirated copy of Jana Nayagan on his laptop while on duty inside the surveillance room. The post quickly circulated, prompting action from local authorities.

Police from Kotturpuram are said to have reprimanded and subsequently taken Yuvaraj into custody. Beyond the lapse in duty during a sensitive election period, the act of viewing pirated content added a legal dimension to the case. The incident has raised concerns about vigilance at counting centres, especially in the days leading up to the official tallying of votes.

The timing has only amplified the attention around the episode, as political stakeholders and the public remain focused on the outcome of a closely watched election.

Piracy Troubles Continue for Jana Nayagan

The controversy also brings renewed focus to the ongoing challenges faced by Jana Nayagan, headlined by Vijay. The film, which has been in the news for multiple reasons, was leaked in full on April 9 across several piracy platforms, dealing a significant blow to its makers.

Authorities, including cybercrime units, have since taken steps to curb the spread of the illegal copies, with reports of arrests linked to the leak. The issue further escalated within the industry when editor Pradeep E Ragav was suspended by the South Indian Film Editors Association. The association cited partial responsibility in connection with the breach, which was allegedly executed by a freelance editor.

Directed by H. Vinoth, the film features a large ensemble including Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, Bobby Deol, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain and Priyamani in key roles. Originally planned for a Pongal release in January, the film has faced repeated delays, preventing it from making it to theatres as scheduled.

Amid this, Vijay has simultaneously stepped into the political arena, contesting the elections as the leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. In the lead-up to vote counting, the actor-politician visited Tiruchendur Murugan Temple, a move that drew attention from both political observers and fans.

As for the film’s release, it now hinges on certification clearance. If approved by the censor board, Jana Nayagan is expected to arrive in theatres on May 8. However, an official announcement is still awaited.

The convergence of a high-profile election, a major film leak, and an unusual breach at a counting centre has created an unlikely intersection of politics and cinema. For now, both the fate of the ballots and the film remain in focus as the state moves closer to a decisive week.

Also Read: Jana Nayagan Leak Case Widens: Chennai Police Arrest Three More, Mastermind Identified