Alex Grossomanides thought he had scored a deal last year on a down jacket from France - until he received a bill for more than $400 (£298) in tariffs and processing fees - nearly as much as the cost of the coat. It was far higher than he had anticipated in part because the parka was
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.A-line kurta sets with pants that make getting dressed feel easy: 8 picks for womenA-line kurta sets are one of the most flattering outfits you can own
IPL 2026: Mukul Choudhary delivered a stunning 25-ball half-century in his third IPL appearance, guiding Lucknow Super Giants to a remarkable victory against Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite his team's struggles, Choudhary's explosive hitting in the final overs secured a memorable win
ChatGPT maker OpenAI expects to generate $2.5 billion in advertising revenue this year, with projections to reach $100 billion by 2030, Axios reported on Thursday, citing a source familiar with recent presentations to investors. The company has told investors to expect ad revenue to
In a press conference in Kolkata, Shah vowed to implement the benefits of 7th Pay Commission to Bengal employees as a part of the sixth guarantee. New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that 7th Pay Commission will be rolled out to West Bengal employees within 45 days if BJP wins the
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Janata Dal (United) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha left for Delhi on Thursday (April 9, 2026) amid reports that he could take oath as a Rajya Sabha member on Friday (April 10). Mr. Kumar is expected to meet top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Delhi
Artemis II astronauts are venturing farther than ever, exposing them to deep space radiation. NASA is closely monitoring their health using advanced sensors and biological samples. This crucial data will inform future Moon bases and Mars expeditions
The Foreign Ministers of North Korea and China agreed to further deepen cooperation and exchanges between their countries and had an “in-depth exchange” on international issues, the countries' state media outlets reported on Friday (April 10, 2026)
Akshay Kumar shunning mass action
Not Ramayana, but Akshay Kumar shunning mass action, doing Bhooth Bangla is best news for Bollywood this year | Opinion
Not Ramayana, but Akshay Kumar shunning mass action, doing Bhooth Bangla is best news for Bollywood this year | Opinion
Akshay Kumar's return to vintage comedy, something he is a master at, with Priyadarshan's Bhooth Bangla, is the variety mainstream Bollywood needs.
Apr 10, 2026, 13:37:26 IST By Abhimanyu Mathur Share via Copy link Maybe it was Baahubali, or maybe the KGF and Pushpa films. But something did change in Bollywood’s approach to ‘big’ films after the pandemic. As slice-of-life stories and ‘daring’ genres fell flat after the lockdowns, big stars resorted to the only formula they felt was safe - mass action, south style. And suddenly, every actor wanted their own Rocky bhai or Pushpa moment. When even the king of romance (here’s looking at you, Jawan) and National Award winners (remember Manoj Bajpayee in Bhaiyaji) were clamouring for mass action, Akshay Kumar is quietly bucking the trend. He had a decent outing with Housefull 5 last year, and now has three out-and-out comedies up for release, becoming the only major star to return to his roots. And it just may be the best thing for Bollywood this year. Akshay Kumar is returning to his vintage comedy style with Priyadarshan's Bhooth Bangla.Akshay Kumar bucks the mass action trend
The first era of south-style mass action in Hindi cinema began in 2009-10 with the success of Wanted and Dabangg. And even as Salman remained the poster boy of this trend, with many hits, Akshay was one of the early adopters. He gave hits like Rowdy Rathore and Khiladi 786, which were steeped in this filmmaking grammar. After ‘pan-India’ mass films returned to Bollywood’s consciousness in this decade, other stars again followed suit. Shah Rukh found success in Pathaan and Jawan, Salman’s fortunes were mixed with Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and Sikandar, but Ranbir Kapoor also found success with Animal. Even smaller films - Maalik with Rajkummar Rao, Subedaar with Anil Kapoor, and Bhaiyaji with Manoj Bajpayee - followed the trend. Yet, Akshay kept doing his thing. This time, there was no Rowdy Rathore from him. Experiments like Ram Setu and Raksha Bandhan did not land, but the actor persevered. He tasted some success with OMG 2, Kesari 2, and Jolly LLB 3, and eventually found his way back to comedy.No one does comedy like Akshay Kumar
Even though he began as an action star, Khiladi Kumar’s transformation into comedic genius was pretty organic. After Hera Pheri, he gave several hits, mostly with Priyadarshan. And during his golden phase (2007-19), the actor invariably had one comedy hit each year. His comic timing has made most of those films cult classics, and his scenes meme fodder. Akshay’s return to comedy began with Housefull 5, a film that did well at the box office but still drew a lot of criticism. So, it is a relief that he takes that forward with his most trusted partner, Priyadarshan. The two are combining for three films - Bhooth Bangla, Haiwaan, and Hera Pheri 3. Two of them are comedies, with Bhooth Bangla all set for release this year.Why Bhooth Bangla is important
And before you label me calling it ‘the best thing for Bollywood this year’ hyperbole, let me explain. The thing mainstream Bollywood films have been missing of late is variety. Every film looks like every other film. It seems there are but two genres right now - mass action and chirpy romance. ‘Different’ films like Tu Yaa Main and Ikkis arrive every now and then, but minus the firepower of big stars. The once-in-a-generation success of Dhurandhar is largely due to Bollywood, as it is on the shoulders of a filmmaker who has largely followed tropes. Mainstream Hindi cinema has been churning out the same kind of films for a while now. So, Akshay and Priyadarshan bringing out something lighter, on a mega scale, is something to be appreciated. The trailer has evoked words like ‘nostalgia’ and ‘clutter-breaking’, which should tell you everything you need to know about what the audience wants. Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Balaji Telefilms, also stars Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rajpal Yadav. The film arrives in theatres on April 17. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Abhimanyu Mathur Abhimanyu Mathur is Deputy Editor, Entertainment at Hindustan Times. With almost 15 years of experience in writing about everything from films and TV shows to cricket matches and elections, he inhales and exhales pop culture and news. Currently, he watches movies and TV shows and talks to celebrities for a living, while occasionally writing about them as well. A journalism graduate of Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, Delhi University, Abhimanyu began his career with Hindustan Times at the age of 20, swapping classrooms for newsrooms at an early age. He began his journey in the early days of digital journalism, later switching to the madness of print journalism. Work has led him to far off places like Japan and Jordan, as well as to the interiors of Haryana and the Indo-Pak border. He dabbled in city reporting in places like Meerut, Gurgaon, and Delhi, covered the Olympics and Cricket World Cups, before finding his calling in entertainment and lifestyle during the pandemic. A Rotten Tomatoes Certified Film Critic, he is equally at home covering stories on ground as he is interviewing celebrities and studios, and sometimes prefers to shepherd teams in delivering traffic through the day. Even as his role has evolved from reporter to supervisor over the years, his first love remains writing (and of late, talking on camera). With a good understanding of cinema and its trends, and a keen eye for detail, he continues to spark conversations around showbiz for readers around the world.Read More Akshay Kumar Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.Get more updates from Bollywood, Taylor Swift, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times. Home / Entertainment / Bollywood / Not Ramayana, But Akshay Kumar Shunning Mass Action, Doing Bhooth Bangla Is Best News For Bollywood This Year | Opinion See Less
Maybe it was Baahubali, or maybe the KGF and Pushpa films. But something did change in Bollywood’s approach to ‘big’ films after the pandemic. As slice-of-life stories and ‘daring’ genres fell flat after the lockdowns, big stars resorted to the only formula they felt was safe - mass action, south style. And suddenly, every actor wanted their own Rocky bhai or Pushpa moment. When even the king of romance (here’s looking at you, Jawan) and National Award winners (remember Manoj Bajpayee in Bhaiyaji) were clamouring for mass action, Akshay Kumar is quietly bucking the trend. He had a decent outing with Housefull 5 last year, and now has three out-and-out comedies up for release, becoming the only major star to return to his roots. And it just may be the best thing for Bollywood this year.
Yet, Akshay kept doing his thing. This time, there was no Rowdy Rathore from him. Experiments like Ram Setu and Raksha Bandhan did not land, but the actor persevered. He tasted some success with OMG 2, Kesari 2, and Jolly LLB 3, and eventually found his way back to comedy.
So, it is a relief that he takes that forward with his most trusted partner, Priyadarshan. The two are combining for three films - Bhooth Bangla, Haiwaan, and Hera Pheri 3. Two of them are comedies, with Bhooth Bangla all set for release this year.
Mainstream Hindi cinema has been churning out the same kind of films for a while now. So, Akshay and Priyadarshan bringing out something lighter, on a mega scale, is something to be appreciated. The trailer has evoked words like ‘nostalgia’ and ‘clutter-breaking’, which should tell you everything you need to know about what the audience wants.
Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Balaji Telefilms, also stars Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rajpal Yadav. The film arrives in theatres on April 17.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Akshay Kumar vows to bring ‘real’ action back to Bollywood Akshay Kumar & Twinkle Khanna’s Security Car Meets With A Freak Accident Akshay Kumar's Car Accident Akshay Kumar downplays romancing Wamiqa Gabbi Akshay Kumar’s horror-comedy film gets release date Akshay Kumar Akshay Kumar Reacts To Kajol And Twinkle Khanna’s New Talk Show Akshay Kumar reveals why he eats dinner at 6 Akshay Kumar And Saif Ali Khan Reunite After 18 Years For Thriller Mithila Palkar to play Akshay Kumar’s sister in Bhooth Bangla
Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court, who is facing an inquiry into an unaccounted cash row, has submitted his resignation to President Draupadi Murmu, reported Live Law on Friday. Varma had submitted his resignation on Thursday, according to The Wire
1 minutes ago
Jana Nayagan scene leaked: A five-minute clip, believed to be from actor Vijay's eagerly awaited last film 'Jana Nayagan', was allegedly leaked and is now doing the rounds on social media, much to the disdain of its makers. Chennai: Actor Shanthnu Baghyaraj on Friday joined several film directors
1 minutes ago
Anant Ambani is celebrating his birthday on April 10, marking his 31st year. The youngest son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, chairperson of Reliance Foundation, is drawing attention online as social media fills up with glimpses from the celebrations
1 minutes ago
In a move aimed at providing financial relief during job loss, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has simplified withdrawal rules under the EPF Withdrawal Rules 2026. These changes are designed to make access to Provident Fund (PF) savings quicker and more practical during
1 minutes ago
On Day 2 of the ceasefire in Iran, ship traffic across the Strait of Hormuz which had slowly increased to 10% of pre-war levels before the ceasefire, dwindled to almost zero. With direct talks between Iran and the U.S. scheduled to begin soon in Pakistan
1 minutes ago
AMFI Data For March 2026: Mutual funds witnessed a sharp jump in equity inflows in March, even as the industry’s overall asset base shrank month-on-month due to market weakness, according to the latest AMFI data release on April 10. Equity schemes attracted net inflows of Rs 40
1 minutes ago
Atovio Pebble Review: It is a wearable air purifier designed for personal use in indoor and semi-enclosed spaces. Backed by IIT Kanpur data, it shows meaningful results indoors but limited effectiveness outdoors, making it a situational yet practical pollution solution at its price
1 minutes ago
India's space agency ISRO has successfully completed the second integrated air drop test for the Gaganyaan mission. This crucial test ensures the safe recovery of the crew module during re-entry. The test was conducted at Sriharikota. This follows a successful first test
1 minutes ago
The BJP has released its manifesto for the West Bengal Assembly polls, targeting women and youth voters with key promises. The Trinamool Congress has also detailed its electoral pledges. Elections are scheduled for April 23 and April 29. The BJP's manifesto includes financial aid for women and
1 minutes ago
Barcelona have escalated their anger over refereeing decisions by filing a formal complaint with UEFA on Thursday, following their 2-0 home defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. “The club considers that the refereeing did not adhere to the current law
1 minutes ago
3 killed after truck overturns on shelter near under-construction bridge in UPThree labourers killed as gravel truck overturns on tin shelter near bridge site in Saharanpur; two injured, probe into driver negligence underway Published on: Apr 10, 2026 1:59 PM IST By Rohit Kumar Singh
1 minutes ago
There’s a war underway. No, not the one on your television screens. This one’s playing out on your phones, and the target is, of all things, your protein intake. For those who don’t live their lives online, here’s the executive summary. On April 1
1 minutes ago
Randeep Hooda-Lin Laishram daughter: The couple first came across each other at veteran star Naseeruddin Shah’s theatre group Motley. New Delhi: Bollywood star Randeep Hooda and his wife, Lin Laishram took to Instagram have shared a heartwarming personal update on social media
1 minutes ago
Ollie Watkins scored twice as Aston Villa beat Bologna 3-1 in their Europa League quarter-final first leg on Thursday, while Nottingham Forest held Porto to a 1-1 draw thanks to a comical own goal from Martim Fernandes. Freiburg also have one foot in the last four after a 3-0 win over Celta Vigo
1 minutes ago
The modification made the car larger while featuring a spacious interior. The elevated roof extended the headroom, and inside, the car has luxurious-looking interiors and curtains along the windows. The addition of curtains enhances privacy and creates a lounge-like feel to the space
1 minutes ago
The exchange said it has come across a person identified as 'Nitin', operating a Telegram channel named 'Everyday Power Of Stocks', who is allegedly providing securities market tips, promising guaranteed returns and offering account handling services to investors
1 minutes ago
The Telangana High Court on Friday granted anticipatory bail for one week to Congress leader Pawan Khera in connection with an FIR filed by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife. The Telangana High Court on Friday granted anticipatory bail for one week to Congress leader Pawan Khera in connection
1 minutes ago
Dhurandhar 2: The film features a stellar cast led by Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal alongside R Madhavan. New Delhi: Filmmaker Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge' is in news again and this time it is not for any box office record or any new feat achieved by
1 minutes ago
Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth walk together towards a car, even as a catchy track (‘Aaja Raja’) plays. They get in. In what is a promo for the biggest Tamil project of recent times — one that marks the reunion of two superstars — director Nelson and music composer Anirudh also makea mark
1 minutes ago
A viral Instagram video by an Indian student studying in France has triggered debate about the real cost of studying abroad. She shared a detailed breakdown showing how her total expenses reached around Rs 44 lakh, including tuition fees, visa requirements and living-related costs
1 minutes ago
JEE Main 2026 session 2 result, answer key: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the schedule for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session 2 answer key and result. According to the latest update shared on X (formerly Twitter)
1 minutes ago
Hockey India replaces Tushar Khandekar with Australia's Tim White as junior women's coachHockey India replaces Tushar Khandekar with Australia's Tim White as junior women's coach Published on: Apr 10, 2026 12:13 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi
1 minutes ago
The United States and Iran are set to hold their first talks since the war began, with Pakistan stepping in as mediator and hosting the high-stakes negotiations in its capital under unprecedented security. Islamabad has effectively been locked down with a two-day public holiday to secure the
1 minutes ago
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen on Friday announced that it is ending its alliance with former West Bengal minister Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party for the upcoming Assembly elections after claims he purportedly made in a widely shared video
1 minutes ago
The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its election manifesto for West Bengal. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the document as a plan for farmers, youth, and women. He stated the manifesto aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a developed India
1 minutes ago
Indian woman earns ₹7,850 in 4 hours delivering food in Australia: ‘Deliveries were getting really good’An Indian woman shared earning ₹7,850 in just over four hours doing food delivery in Australia. Updated on: Apr 10, 2026 1:59 PM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link An Indian
1 minutes ago
Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of IPL 2026. LSG eye replacements as injury concerns deepen ahead of crucial matches. Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of IPL 2026, delivering a significant setback to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who are now racing to finalize an overseas spin replacement within
1 minutes ago
