Did Drishyam 2 really kill Bhediya’s chances? A look At Bollywood clashes that changed box-office fate

When Amar Kaushik, the director of Bhediya, recently opened up about the film's underperformance, his comments sparked a fresh round of speculation: Was it really Drishyam 2 that derailed Bhediya's box office run? Or was Bhediya simply not the crowd-puller it was expected to be?

In a candid conversation with Komal Nahta on The Game Changers podcast, the director revisited the release of Bhediya and offered some honest introspection about why it didn't click commercially.

"I realized a couple of things a little too late," Kaushik admitted. He pointed to the film's unfortunate timing, which saw it releasing just a week after Drishyam 2, a high-profile thriller that had already taken the audience by storm. "Drishyam 2 had already created massive buzz and everyone was heading to watch that," he explained.

Kaushik also reflected on a strategic misstep in the film's target audience. "Bhediya was made with the younger crowd in mind, but it came out during exam season," he said. "Students didn't even know about it then. But once it landed on OTT, they discovered it and really appreciated it."

Drishyam 2 released on November 18, 2022, and was a certified box office juggernaut. Backed by a strong franchise following, a gripping plot, and a loyal Ajay Devgn fanbase, the film opened with Rs 15.38 crore and went on to earn over Rs. 240 crore in India.

Just a week later, Bhediya hit the screens, a quirky horror-comedy starring Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon. Despite Amar Kaushik's successful track record with Stree, Bhediya managed a relatively modest Rs. 7.48 crore opening, ultimately wrapping up with around Rs 66 crore domestically and 90 crore globally. While it's easy to attribute blame to timing, this isn't the first time such a clash has changed the fate of a film sometimes forever.

Let's break down the numbers, revisit some famous clashes, and explore how release timing can sometimes change the fate of a film.

Other Box Office Clashes That Altered Fates

Lagaan vs Gadar (2001)

One of Bollywood's most iconic clashes. On June 15, 2001, Lagaan and Gadar: Ek Prem Katha released on the same day. While both were massive successes, Gadar became a cultural juggernaut, especially in North India, earning over Rs133 crore at a time when Rs 100 crore was near-unthinkable. Lagaan still made its mark, eventually being nominated for an Oscar, but many speculate how much bigger it could have been had it released solo. Would Lagaan have reached even higher commercial heights with a clear runway?

Dilwale vs Bajirao Mastani (2015)

On December 18, 2015, Shah Rukh Khan's Dilwale and Ranveer Singh's Bajirao Mastani collided at the box office. Conventional wisdom favored Dilwale, given the SRK-Kajol pairing and Rohit Shetty's mass appeal. But Bajirao Mastani, with its grand visuals and critical acclaim, edged out in the long run, collecting over Rs 180 crore domestically compared to Dilwale's Rs 148 crore.

Raees vs Kaabil (2017)

Both high-stakes releases hit screens on January 25, 2017. Shah Rukh Khan's Raees was seen as the heavyweight, while Kaabil, starring Hrithik Roshan, tried to carve out its own space with an emotional revenge drama. Ultimately, Raees collected around Rs 137 crore while Kaabil managed Rs 103 crore but trade analysts still wonder if Kaabil could've performed better solo.

The Box Office Equation: More Than Just Timing

While clashes often change the narrative, they aren't the only factor. Bhediya had a new concept (werewolves in Arunachal Pradesh), genre experimentation, and no franchise cushion. Drishyam 2 was a safe bet, both in theme and execution. Audiences tend to lean toward familiarity, especially in uncertain times.

Moreover, factors like marketing, music, critical reception, and release strategy (2D vs 3D, single screen vs multiplex) play pivotal roles.

Kaushik's reflection offers a valid "what if," but perhaps also a lesson in planning. In hindsight, Bhediya might have benefitted from a February or March release, free from big-screen predators like Drishyam 2. But then again, in the wild world of Bollywood, even the best-planned hunts can miss the mark.