Upcoming Bollywood Movies April 2026 — Awarapan 2, Bhooth Bangla, MaatruBhumi & More

What's Releasing in April 2026

April 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting months at the multiplex in years. Bollywood has stacked the calendar with genuine heavyweights — a long-awaited cult sequel, a horror-comedy reunion that fans have been demanding for two decades, a patriotic war epic from Salman Khan, and one of the biggest Hollywood biopics in recent memory. If you're the kind of person who lives for the big screen, you're going to need a strategy — and a few magicpin coupons.

 

 

Awarapan 2

Release Date: April 3, 2026  |  Director: Nitin Kakkar  |  Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Disha Patani, Shabana Azmi

 

 

Seventeen years is a long time to wait for a sequel — but if you watched Emraan Hashmi's Awarapan in 2007, you'll know why the anticipation for Awarapan 2 feels almost personal. The original was a dark, brooding revenge thriller with a soundtrack that stayed with you long after the credits rolled. Emraan played a contract killer caught between loyalty and conscience, and it became one of his most defining roles.

 

The sequel picks up the story with Nitin Kakkar at the helm, bringing a fresh directorial voice to the franchise. The casting of Disha Patani alongside Emraan adds an interesting dynamic — her energy is diametrically different from the moody gravitas Emraan brings, which could create genuinely compelling tension on screen. Shabana Azmi's inclusion suggests the film won't be just style-over-substance; her presence typically signals a story that has something real to say.

 

The first look posters have been deliberately atmospheric — shot in deep shadows with Emraan's signature smouldering intensity front and centre. If you're a fan of the original, this one is non-negotiable. If you're new to the franchise, watch the 2007 film first — it'll make April 3rd hit a lot harder.

 

Bhooth Bangla

Release Date: April 10, 2026  |  Director: Priyadarshan  |  Cast: Akshay Kumar, Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, Manoj Joshi

 

 

Here's the thing about Bhool Bhulaiyaa — it became a generational film not because of jump scares, but because Priyadarshan understood that the best horror-comedies make you laugh right up until the moment they terrify you. Akshay Kumar was perfect in it: bumbling, charming, and completely believable as both the comic relief and the straight man.

 

Bhooth Bangla is their second collaboration in this space, and the announcement alone sent the internet into a frenzy. Set in a mysterious haveli, the film reunites Akshay with Tabu — whose performance in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 reminded everyone why she's in a category of her own when it comes to this genre. Add Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, and Manoj Joshi, and you have a cast that knows exactly how to walk the tightrope between laugh-out-loud comedy and spine-tingling horror.

 

The first song 'Ram Ji Aake Bhala Karenge' has already crossed millions of views — it's got that earworm quality that Priyadarshan films are known for. The full trailer dropped on March 30, and Twitter has been... busy. This is the kind of film that plays better in a packed hall. Book early, get the biggest screen you can, and go with a group.

 

 

Dacoit: A Love Story

Release Date: April 10, 2026  |  Director: Shaneil Deo  |  Cast: Adivi Sesh, Mrunal Thakur, Anurag Kashyap, Prakash Raj

 

 

Adivi Sesh has been on an impressive run. After Major — a film that proved he could carry the weight of a real story on his shoulders — he's now pairing with Mrunal Thakur for Dacoit: A Love Story, a Telugu action thriller that wears its genre-hybrid nature as a badge of honour rather than an excuse.

 

Director Shaneil Deo's premise follows an angry convict navigating vengeance and love simultaneously — a combination that, in the wrong hands, can become melodramatic quickly. But with Anurag Kashyap and Prakash Raj in pivotal supporting roles, there's real credibility on screen. Kashyap in particular brings an unpredictable intensity to anything he's in — when he's acting rather than directing, you genuinely don't know what he's going to do next.

 

Mrunal Thakur has established herself as one of the most versatile performers of her generation — equally comfortable in Sita Ramam's romance and Toofaan's gritty world. Watch for the chemistry between her and Adivi Sesh.

 

MaatruBhumi: May War Rest in Peace

Release Date: April 17, 2026  |  Director: Apoorva Lakhia  |  Cast: Salman Khan, Chitrangda Singh

 

 

The Galwan Valley standoff of June 2020 was one of those events that stopped the country cold — 20 Indian soldiers killed in hand-to-hand combat at 14,000 feet, in conditions most of us can't imagine. Apoorva Lakhia's MaatruBhumi (previously titled Battle of Galwan) attempts to tell that story through Salman Khan's lens, and early signs suggest it's going to be something significant.

 

The teaser crossed 15 million views and the reaction was visceral — people weren't just excited, they were moved. High-altitude cinematography, Salman in a restrained mode that his best performances have always required, and Chitrangda Singh bringing emotional grounding to what could otherwise be pure spectacle.

 

The controversy around the title change has, if anything, generated more attention than the original campaign would have. Chinese media's objections and the Indian government's distancing from the project paradoxically made it a cause célèbre. People who had never heard of the project were suddenly actively seeking it out. Apoorva Lakhia has done this kind of story before — Shootout at Lokhandwala, Sarkar. April 17 could be a big one.

 

Michael

Release Date: April 24, 2026  |  Director: Antoine Fuqua  |  Cast: Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier

 

 

There's a line in a Michael Jackson interview from 1993 where he says, "I'm just not happy unless I'm performing." By the end of Michael — Antoine Fuqua's long-awaited biopic — you'll understand exactly what he meant, and why that sentence carries more tragedy than triumph.

 

The casting of Jaafar Jackson — Michael's actual nephew — is either the most inspired choice in biopic history or a massive gamble, depending on who you ask. Early footage suggests it's the former. He doesn't just look like Michael — he moves like him, in a way that can't be manufactured through choreography coaching alone. There's something inherited there.

 

The film doesn't shy away from the allegations and controversies — it asks the audience to hold complexity in both hands: the art and the accusations, the childhood stolen and the genius forged from that loss. Nia Long as Katherine Jackson and Miles Teller complete a cast assembled with obvious care. Book PVR & INOX vouchers on magicpin and see this on the biggest screen possible.

 

 

Songs, Buzz & What People Are Talking About

Bhooth Bangla's 'Ram Ji Aake Bhala Karenge' is the song of the season — it has that irresistible quality that Priyadarshan soundtracks always deliver: you'll be humming it in the auto on the way home. The full trailer (March 30) has fans debating who steals the most scenes — current leader is Tabu, though Paresh Rawal fans are making a strong case.

 

MaatruBhumi has been the most talked-about film of the quarter for reasons that have nothing to do with its content — the title controversy brought it the kind of free publicity money can't buy. The first song teaser released in January 2026 to strong reviews. Salman in a khaki uniform at high altitude hits differently.

 

Awarapan 2 has been all about mood marketing — the first look stills are deliberately dark and atmospheric, leaning heavily into the original film's visual language. Every nostalgic Emraan Hashmi fan is already sold; the question is whether it can find new audiences too.

 

FAQs

Q: What are the major Bollywood releases in April 2026?
A: The major releases include Awarapan 2 (April 3), Bhooth Bangla and Dacoit: A Love Story (both April 10), MaatruBhumi (April 17), and Michael (April 24).

 

Q: When is Bhooth Bangla releasing?
A: Bhooth Bangla releases on April 10, 2026. The full trailer dropped on March 30, 2026.

 

Q: Who stars in Salman Khan's MaatruBhumi?
A: MaatruBhumi stars Salman Khan and Chitrangda Singh, directed by Apoorva Lakhia. It's based on the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict.

 

Q: Is the Michael Jackson biopic releasing in India?
A: Yes, Michael releases worldwide on April 24, 2026, starring Michael's real nephew Jaafar Jackson alongside Nia Long and Miles Teller.

 

Q: How to get cheap movie tickets for April 2026 films?
A: Book via magicpin for the best deals at PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis in your city. Compare offers and save on every booking.

Find these films at cinemas near you: Mumbai | Bangalore | Delhi | Hyderabad | Pune.