Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 once again plunges us into the world of haunted havelis and ancestral secrets, this time inviting Rooh Baba (Kartik Aaryan) to cleanse a royal family’s mansion of Manjulika’s spirit. The story kicks off with familiar territory—Rooh Baba, a charming but deceptive ghostbuster, is hired by an old-money family to expel a ghost threatening the sale of their prized property. Little does he know he is not only dealing with Manjulika but with two women—Mallika (Vidya Balan) and Mandira (Madhuri Dixit)—both laying claim to the title. What follows is a comedy that eventually tries to incorporate horror and suspense, but its impact fluctuates.
This entry, helmed by Anees Bazmee, shifts away from Priyadarshan’s eerie psychological undertones in the original Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), starring Akshay Kumar, and continues in the vein of Bazmee’s own Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022), which leaned heavily on humor and Kartik Aaryan’s charisma. While the third installment maintains the horror-comedy genre, Bazmee’s emphasis remains solidly on comedy, with horror elements sprinkled in mainly as a nostalgic nod. In this sense, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is more a spiritual successor to Bazmee’s own works than a psychological horror like Priyadarshan’s original.
One immediate difference from both predecessors is the film’s effort to give the plot a mature twist, especially in its climax. In the original, Priyadarshan structured the story as a mystery; the gradual reveal of Avni’s (Vidya Balan) dissociative identity disorder added both psychological depth and a tragic horror to the film, making it more than just a comedy film with ghosts. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, on the other hand, flipped this on its head and became just that; relying more on slapstick humor with minimal psychological intrigue. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 takes yet another path, initially leaning on a comedic narrative but adding an unexpected twist near the end that provides emotional payoff, albeit at the cost of a tedious and long lead-up.
Kartik Aaryan and the Male Lead: Newer Charisma but Familiar Ground
In the film, Kartik Aaryan essentially reprises his character from the previous film, Rooh Baba, though without significant character development. He is clearly directed to evoke Akshay Kumar’s vibe, but this approach can feel repetitive, as Bazmee does not allow him much range until the film’s twist.
While Akshay infused the original with his trademark wit and an ability to shift between humor and drama, Kartik has a more casual charm.
The climax, however, finally gives him room to break away from being just the comic relief in a humorous ghostbuster trope and shows glimpses of his dramatic side. However, where Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 differentiates itself is in the narrative direction of this twist. While Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 left things lighter, focusing on laughs rather than a resolution with depth, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 offers a layered ending that attempts to redeem the story’s slower pace and inject a more heartfelt resolution. However, fans of the series may feel it takes too long to arrive at this redeeming point.
Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and the ‘Manjulika’ Legacy
A high point of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 lies in its casting of Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan. Vidya, returning as Manjulika from the 2007 original, brings a brooding intensity to her role, subtly reminding audiences of the psychological impact she created in Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Her transition from sweet Avni to one possessed by Manjulika became a defining portrayal, balancing horror and psychological complexity that still resonates. In Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, however, she shares the stage with Madhuri Dixit, whose royal presence adds elegance and mystery.
The two women’s chemistry is undeniable, especially during the climactic “Ami Je Tomar” dance duel. In this sequence, Vidya adopts Bharatnatyam-Odissi stylings while Madhuri performs Kathak, creating a visually powerful showdown.
The setup, though sudden, taps into the nostalgia of the original’s music and dance. Madhuri and Vidya’s “fire and ice” dynamic brings gravitas to the film, though the narrative does not always support their talents fully. Their performances add depth that is otherwise lacking in a storyline that mostly depends on Kartik’s comic timing.
However, unlike the original Bhool Bhulaiyaa, where Vidya’s haunting transformation played an integral role, here the complexity of her character is somewhat diminished. Madhuri’s character, too, feels like a narrative afterthought, a missed opportunity in a film that had the potential to explore more with two icons of Indian cinema.
Support and Style: Art Direction and Side Characters
The film’s art direction deserves commendation. The production value surpasses previous installments, offering a lavish, intricate palace that lends itself to the haunting yet grand atmosphere. The cinematography creates a hauntingly beautiful setting that showcases Bazmee’s growth as a visual director.
By comparison, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 had a more straightforward aesthetic, and Priyadarshan’s original used tighter, shadowy frames to induce a sense of claustrophobia. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 ups the production game, though it often sacrifices genuine scares for visual spectacle.
As for the supporting cast, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 once again features Rajpal Yadav, Sanjay Mishra, and Vijay Raaz. However, like in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, these talented actors are relegated to filler roles with thinly written gags, nowhere near as impactful as Paresh Rawal’s or even Yadav’s roles in the 2007 original. While Paresh Rawal’s subtle humor and wit in the first film complemented the horror with tension-breaking laughs, the side characters here serve more as humorous distractions, adding little to the main plot.
Triptii Dimri: A Missed Opportunity
In Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Triptii Dimri’s character is underdeveloped, a surprising choice given her impressive potential as an actress. She plays the princess who initially hires Rooh Baba, but her role amounts to little more than a pretty face with sparse character depth. Dimri gets one strong scene that showcases her talent, but otherwise, she exists primarily to support Kartik’s antics, a disappointing decision considering the space this role had to expand. In comparison, Kiara Advani’s role in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, though also limited, was at least a more integral part of the story.
Pacing and Narrative Flow: A Sluggish Middle with a Strong Finish
The biggest challenge Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 faces is its pacing. At 158 minutes, the film stretches its comedy, leaving viewers waiting for a twist that only comes in the final act. While the first film skillfully balanced suspense and humor, slowly peeling back the layers of Avni’s character, this one meanders through a series of gags and jump scares that lose their edge long before the climax. The lengthy build-up dilutes the impact of what could have been a tighter, more suspenseful storyline.
The film’s climax, however, is a redeeming highlight. Where Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 ended on an anti-climactic note, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 introduces an unexpected twist that finally brings complexity to Kartik’s character. This twist taps into the franchise’s roots by offering a depth that’s been missing in Bazmee’s works. Yet, one wonders if a shorter, more focused narrative could have better highlighted this poignant twist.
Final Verdict
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 lands somewhere between nostalgia and novelty, delivering a visually rich but uneven horror-comedy. It lacks the psychological tension of the first film and the breezy fun of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, but it redeems itself with a thought-provoking climax. Kartik Aaryan’s charm and Madhuri-Vidya’s star power provide glimmers of brilliance, though the film as a whole doesn’t quite reach the iconic status of the original. If you’re a fan of the franchise, the third installment is worth a watch, especially for its satisfying final twist and the memorable Vidya-Madhuri face-off. For newcomers, though, it may feel like a journey that overstays its welcome, delivering a mixed bag of highs and lows best enjoyed for its memorable moments rather than as a cohesive narrative.