Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Review: Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, Vidya Balan, and Madhuri Dixit Lead a Horror-Comedy That Falls Short of Expectations
Film Title: Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
Director: Anees Bazmee
Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz, Rajpal Yadav
Rating: 2.5/5
Overview:
Anees Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, starring Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, Vidya Balan, and Madhuri Dixit, aims to carry forward the legacy of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa series with a fresh blend of horror and comedy. The film follows Rooh Baba, played by Kartik Aaryan, a fraud ghost exorcist entangled in a spooky journey filled with gags, supernatural elements, and an eerie mansion. While the movie has its moments of humor, it ultimately struggles to maintain the intrigue and depth of its predecessors, ending up as a mixed experience for the audience.
Plot Summary:
The story kicks off with Rooh Baba (Kartik Aaryan), a well-known but fraudulent exorcist who uses his supposed supernatural abilities to con people. He’s approached by Meera (Triptii Dimri) and her uncle (Rajesh Sharma) for an assignment at the haunted Rakt Ghat haveli, with a lucrative offer of ₹1 crore. The haveli is shrouded in sinister history, with rumors of violent deaths and restless spirits, adding to its mystique. Rooh Baba, however, has a personal connection to the mansion, a detail revealed as the narrative progresses. Meera and her uncle are skeptical of the ghostly tales surrounding the haveli and want to debunk the myth to make it viable for sale. However, as they venture into the mansion just ahead of Durga Ashtami, strange and comical incidents ensue, challenging their disbelief and setting the stage for an amusing, albeit shallow, horror-comedy.
What Works:
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 shines in its lighter moments, particularly in the first half, which is peppered with dialogues and situations that evoke genuine laughter. The supporting cast elevates these scenes with their comedic timing, delivering dialogue with energy that injects life into an otherwise predictable script. Kartik Aaryan’s chemistry with co-star Arun Kushwah, who plays his comic sidekick, adds an endearing camaraderie that resonates well with the audience. The nostalgic track “Jaana Samjho Na” is cleverly woven into the plot and provides a dose of familiarity that longtime fans of the series can appreciate.
Visually, the film benefits from commendable visual effects, which add to the spooky yet polished atmosphere of the Rakt Ghat haveli. The rich production design and well-executed CGI scenes give the mansion an eerie charm, enhancing the horror aspect of the film. This aesthetic appeal is perhaps one of the film’s biggest assets, making it visually engaging and immersive for viewers.
What Doesn’t Work:
Despite its humor, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 falters in its attempts to recreate the magic of the original characters, especially that of Rooh Baba, a character famously portrayed by Akshay Kumar in the previous installment. Kartik Aaryan’s character comes across as an imitation rather than a fresh take, with many of his jokes falling flat. His lines seem tailored for the original character, leaving Aaryan struggling to inject his own personality into the role. This disconnect between character and actor detracts from his overall performance, resulting in moments that feel forced rather than genuinely funny.
The film’s romantic subplot between Kartik Aaryan and Triptii Dimri adds little to the story. While both actors have undeniable screen presence, their chemistry lacks the spark necessary to make their scenes memorable. Their pairing feels incidental, an afterthought in a screenplay that seems unsure of its direction. Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit, both powerhouse performers, are also let down by underdeveloped characters. They bring intensity to their roles but are limited by scripts that rely heavily on melodrama, turning their performances into exaggerated caricatures rather than engaging personalities.
The climax, a crucial element in any horror-comedy, fails to deliver the necessary impact. The ending feels rushed and unconvincing, with plot twists that lack the finesse to be either thrilling or funny. By the time the credits roll, it’s evident that the screenplay’s inconsistencies and overreliance on formulaic scares have diminished the film’s overall appeal.
Performances and Direction:
Kartik Aaryan’s portrayal of Rooh Baba is decent, though he struggles to establish a unique identity for the character amidst the shadow of his predecessor, Akshay Kumar. Aaryan brings star power and charisma to the role, but his dialogue delivery and character development are hampered by a lack of strong material, making his performance less impactful than expected.
Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit, who have previously proven their ability to handle nuanced roles, are uncharacteristically over-the-top in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. Their exaggerated expressions and dramatic intonations, likely intended for comedic effect, detract from the believability of their characters. Consequently, their scenes feel more like skits than essential parts of the narrative, reducing the overall suspense and tension. Triptii Dimri, in her role as Meera, manages to shine in a few brief moments, but her character is ultimately sidelined, preventing her from fully showcasing her talent.
The supporting cast, including seasoned actors like Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz, and Rajpal Yadav, deliver some of the film’s best comedic moments. They bring spontaneity to their scenes, balancing the movie’s tonal shifts with their versatile performances. These actors contribute significantly to the humor quotient, providing the film with much-needed lighthearted moments.
Director Anees Bazmee partially succeeds in blending horror with comedy, yet struggles with maintaining coherence in the plot. Known for his expertise in directing comedy films, Bazmee’s touch is evident in the comedic sequences. However, when it comes to horror elements and building a cohesive story, the film falls short. The screenplay meanders, unable to fully commit to either genre, resulting in a movie that feels disjointed and unable to capitalize on the potential of its talented cast.
Cinematic Elements:
A highlight of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is its technical execution, particularly in terms of visual effects and sound design. The eerie ambiance of the Rakt Ghat haveli is successfully conveyed through the atmospheric visuals, with dark, shadowy corridors and antique décor enhancing the sense of dread. The cinematography captures the lavish set design effectively, giving the film a grand, cinematic quality that adds to its appeal.
Sound design plays a pivotal role in creating the horror-comedy experience, and in this regard, the film does well. The background score is skillfully layered, intensifying suspenseful moments without overwhelming the humor. However, these technical strengths can only do so much to cover up a weak narrative. While the cinematography and soundscape build an immersive world, they cannot compensate for a lackluster script and shallow character arcs.
Final Verdict:
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is a mixed bag, offering a handful of laugh-out-loud moments and occasional scares but ultimately failing to live up to the standards set by its predecessors. The film relies on nostalgia and the goodwill of the original Bhool Bhulaiyaa, hoping to captivate audiences with familiar characters and callbacks. However, the lack of innovation and character development limits its appeal, reducing it to a passable but unremarkable addition to the franchise.
Fans of horror-comedy may find some entertainment in the humorous dialogues and the antics of the supporting cast, but those looking for a gripping story or meaningful character interactions may leave the theater disappointed. Families can enjoy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 as a lighthearted outing, but it’s best to lower expectations and approach it as a standalone comedy rather than a direct continuation of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa legacy.
In conclusion, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 delivers an adequate dose of humor and spectacle but falls short of leaving a lasting impact. It’s a film that offers glimpses of potential yet struggles to find a balance between homage and originality. While it may amuse audiences in search of a quick laugh, it lacks the depth and charm required to make it a memorable entry in the world of Bollywood horror-comedies.