Movie Review: BHOOL BHULAIYAA works due to its performances, script, execution and unpredictable climax

Star Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, Triptii DimriDirector: Anees BazmeeBhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Movie Review Synopsis:BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3 is the story of a haunted palace. Ruhaan aka Rooh Baba (Kartik Aaryan) and Tillu (Arun Kushwah) live in Kolkata and con people by pretending to be ghostbusters. One day, they are caught red-handed by Meera (Triptii Dimri) and her uncle (Rajesh Sharma). They even record a video clip that exposes him. However, they allow him to go scot-free if he is ready to accompany them to their ancestral palace in Rakhtghat. Ruhaan reluctantly agrees. Once he reaches there, he meets Meera’s father Raja saab (Vijay Raaz) and the rest of the family, who are living in abject poverty in a stable. This is because the palace is haunted by the evil spirit of Manjulika. The priest of the family (Manish Wadhwa) informs Ruhaan that he’s the one who can free the palace of this evil spirit as he looks ditto like Raja Dibrendranath, who was killed by Manjulika in 1824. Ruhaan is not interested but he has no choice. But he starts enjoying his time in Rakhtghat after he’s hailed for being a lookalike of the prince. He and Meera also fall for each other. Sadly, his happiness is short-lived. Manjulika’s spirit gets free. On the other hand, two mysterious women – Mallika (Vidya Balan) and Mandira (Madhuri Dixit) – arrive at Rakhtghat and add to the madness. What happens next forms the rest of the film.Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Movie Story Review:Aakash Kaushik's story is impressive as it’s not cliched and has a lot of interesting plot points. Aakash Kaushik's screenplay is top-notch. The writing keeps viewers intrigued and invested in the proceedings. Aakash Kaushik's dialogues are witty and funny in equal doses.Anees Bazmee's direction is splendid. He proved with BHOOL BHULAIYAA 2 [2022] that he knows how to ace the horror comedy genre and he confirms this aspect in BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3. The scare element works big time and at the same time, he has made sure that the goings-on aren’t too scary and that it’s suitable for the family audience. He also keeps the proceedings light despite the presence of an evil ghost. However, what works big time is that Anees doesn’t lay out all his cards at the onset. He unravels the mystery gradually and hence, every 15-20 minutes, viewers will learn of a new development, which they wouldn’t have expected.On the flipside, the humour quotient is lesser this time, especially when compared to BHOOL BHULAIYAA 2. On the other hand, there are too many songs. The film stagnates in the middle of the second half. The track of Vicky Khanna (Shataf Figar) is interesting but doesn’t land as intended.BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3 begins on a solid note and Rooh Baba and Meera’s entry scenes are funny. The scene where Ruhaan learns about the poverty in the royal family will bring the house down. Mallika’s entry is dramatic while the intermission point is terrific. The second half also starts on a superb note. But the best is reserved for the finale. It’ll astonish the viewers as they won’t see the twist coming. The film ends on a dramatic and justified note.Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (Official Trailer): Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Triptii DimriBhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Movie Review Performances:Kartik Aaryan is in top form and this time, he’ll surprise viewers with the range of his performance. His comic timing, like always, is spot-on and he looks quite dashing from start to finish. His dance moves are something to watch out for in this film. Vidya Balan gives a power-packed performance and succeeds in keeping her act mysterious. Madhuri Dixit has a late entry but she makes up for it with her screen presence, dance and performance. Triptii Dimri gets a bit overshadowed but manages to make a mark in some key scenes. She looks quite stunning in the scene where she wears a saree. Rajpal Yadav (Chota Pandit), Sanjay Mishra (Bada Pandit) and Ashwini Kalsekar (Panditain) raise laughs although in a few sequences, the writing could have been better. Rajesh Sharma and Vijay Raaz lend able support. Manish Wadhwa is very impressive and suits the part to the T. Arun Kushwah is fair while Shataf Figar does well, but his scene seems unwanted. Kanchan Mullick (Faulad Singh) and Denzil Smith (Maharaj in 1824) are decent.Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 movie music and other technical aspects:The songs add to the glamour and entertainment value. The title track is peppy although the one in part 2 was better. 'Beiraada'is stunning while 'Hukkush Phukkush'is catchy. 'Jaana Samjho Na' is forced. Finally, 'Ami Je Tomar 3.0' is the soul of the film. Sandeep Shirodkar's background score is in sync with the happenings on screen.Manu Anand's cinematography is breathtaking. Watch out for him the way he has shot Ladakh like never before. Manohar Verma's action is realistic. The late Rajat Poddarr's production design is stunning. Sheetal Sharma's costumes for Kartik Aaryan and Triptii Dimri are stylish while Niharika Bhasin's costumes for the rest of the actors are appealing. RedChillies.VFX's VFX matches global standards. Sanjay Sankla's editing is functional.Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Movie Review Conclusion:On the whole, BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3 is a well-made horror comedy which works due to its performances, taut script, creative execution and above all, an unpredictable climax which will leave viewers shocked. At the box office, the film will easily enter Bollywood’s 200 cr. club and has the potential to give a tough fight to the other Diwali biggie, SINGHAM AGAIN.