Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, Rajpal Yadav, and others
Director: Anees Bazmee
Language: Hindi
Star: ⭐
I was excited for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 after the success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, featuring Kartik Aaryan and Tabu. However, as the film progressed, Kartik’s character Rooh Baba felt repetitive, which was disappointing. Even the performances by Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit couldn’t lift the film from its dull and monotonous pace.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 attempts to recapture the magic of the franchise, bringing back Kartik Aaryan as Rooh Baba, alongside the graceful Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit in prominent roles. The film opens with a vibrant dance sequence, initially raising hopes of a thrilling cinematic experience. The setup is intriguing—a chilling flashback reveals a ruthless king who drags and burns a courtesan alive. The premise suggests a ghostly vengeance tale, and viewers are primed for a horror-comedy on par with recent hits in the genre, such as Stree 2.
Early on, we meet Rooh Baba (Kartik Aaryan) performing his usual antics of exorcising a ghost from a child. While Aaryan delivers his trademark humor, there’s a sense of repetitiveness to his character. It feels like Kartik has been typecast, delivering the same performance in every film, making his act feel predictable. There are humorous moments that spark some laughter, yet they are not enough to maintain consistent engagement. Rooh Baba’s encounters with paranormal cases become tedious, and by the time he meets Tripti Dimri, who’s acting like a ghost to scare him, the storyline already feels dragged out.
The narrative then takes Rooh Baba to Rakth Ghat—the haunted land of Monjulika. Here, he meets the eccentric Maharaj living in a tabela (cow shed) because Monjulika has taken over the palace. Although the setup at the palace has potential for humor and suspense, it doesn’t quite hit the mark, making the film’s trajectory predictable and monotonous. Monjulika’s backstory is typical; she kills her stepbrother, is burned alive, and then returns for revenge. In a familiar twist, a priest tells Rooh Baba that he’s the royal heir destined to vanquish Monjulika.
Both Kartik Aaryan and Tripti Dimri feel typecast, with Tripti’s performance echoing her previous work without variation. Vidya Balan, however, brings a refreshing presence to the screen and adds moments of charm. Despite her efforts, and even Madhuri Dixit’s graceful presence, the film drags, unable to shake its formulaic approach.
While the lighting and set designs enhance the spooky ambiance, the film’s weak plot and predictable storytelling undermine these strengths. The film needed better editing. The climax is the only highlight of the film, alongwith Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit’s strong performances.
Verdict
The overlong scenes and uninspired songs add to the monotony, making the wait for intermission feel unusually long. Ultimately, despite the potential in its cast and concept, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 feels like a missed opportunity, unable to live up to its blockbuster ambitions.