MUMBAI, India | September 23, 2026 —
The Bollywood box office calendar has witnessed another major reshuffle. The upcoming untitled comedy starring Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan and Raashii Khanna will no longer arrive in cinemas on December 4, 2026, clearing the way for Shraddha Kapoor’s much-awaited Eetha.
The development has effectively prevented another high-profile Akshay Kumar versus Shraddha Kapoor box office battle.
Directed by Anees Bazmee, the untitled Akshay Kumar film had been scheduled to open on the same day as Eetha. However, its makers have now moved away from the December 4 slot.
A new theatrical release date has not yet been officially announced.
Akshay Kumar Film Could Arrive Earlier — Or Move to 2027
The makers are reportedly examining two possibilities.
The comedy could reach cinemas during the second half of November 2026 if post-production work remains on schedule.
However, if the film requires additional time, the producers could move it completely into 2027.
What appears certain for now is that the film will not release on December 4.
That single decision has dramatically changed one of Bollywood’s most crowded year-end weekends.
Shraddha Kapoor’s ‘Eetha’ Gets Clear December 4 Window
With Akshay Kumar’s film moving away, Eetha now stands as the major Hindi release scheduled for December 4.
The film stars Shraddha Kapoor as legendary Marathi Tamasha artist Vithabai Narayangaonkar.
Directed by Laxman Utekar, Eetha also features Randeep Hooda and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub in key roles.
The biographical musical drama had originally been planned for an August release before its makers shifted it to December 4.
That move initially created the possibility of a direct clash with Akshay Kumar’s comedy.
Now, the situation has changed again.
Another Akshay Kumar vs Shraddha Kapoor Clash Avoided
The development carries an interesting box office history.
Shraddha Kapoor’s blockbuster Stree 2 and Akshay Kumar’s Khel Khel Mein had released together on Independence Day in 2024.
Therefore, Eetha and the upcoming Akshay Kumar comedy were heading toward another theatrical face-off between films led by the two stars.
This time, however, the clash has been avoided before advance bookings, promotions or screen-sharing negotiations could become an issue.
For exhibitors, distributors and producers, avoiding a direct clash can provide both films with greater flexibility in securing screens and show timings.
December 4 Had Become Crowded
The first weekend of December had once looked far more competitive.
Ajay Devgn’s Ranger, which also stars Sanjay Dutt and Tamannaah Bhatia, had previously been linked to the December 4 window.
That film has since moved out of 2026 and is expected to arrive in 2027.
There had also been speculation that Prabhas’ period action drama Fauzi could arrive around December 3.
However, recent trade reports suggest that film may also move away from the early-December window.
As a result, Eetha has gone from facing a potentially packed box office battle to having a much clearer path.
Why the Solo Window Matters for ‘Eetha’
A solo release could prove especially valuable for Eetha because the film is markedly different from a conventional commercial entertainer.
The movie tells the story of Vithabai Narayangaonkar, one of Maharashtra’s most celebrated Tamasha performers.
Shraddha Kapoor’s casting and Laxman Utekar’s direction have already created considerable curiosity around the project.
A relatively uncluttered release weekend could help the film secure more screens, stronger show timings and greater audience attention during its opening days.
It could also allow word of mouth to develop without another major Hindi release competing for the same audience.
Akshay Kumar and Anees Bazmee Reunite
The untitled comedy also carries considerable commercial interest.
Anees Bazmee has built his reputation around large-scale Hindi comedies, while Akshay Kumar remains closely associated with the genre.
Vidya Balan and Raashii Khanna add further star power to the ensemble.
The film also reportedly features performers including Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz and Sudesh Lehri, suggesting that the makers are assembling a broad comic cast.
However, audiences will now have to wait for the producers to announce exactly when the film will reach theatres.
Bollywood’s Release Calendar Keeps Changing
The latest shift highlights how aggressively producers are managing theatrical release dates.
Big films increasingly avoid direct clashes when another suitable weekend remains available. A crowded date can split screens, divide audience attention and sharply increase marketing pressure.
Moving a film, therefore, does not necessarily indicate trouble with the project.
Sometimes, a cleaner release window can become an important part of the film’s box office strategy.
For now, December 4 belongs to Eetha, while the industry waits for a fresh release announcement for Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan and Raashii Khanna’s comedy.
