Movie Review - Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3: A Spirited Return with Mixed Charms and Missed Opportunities

Plot: Set against the mysterious backdrop of a haunted palace in Bengal, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 weaves between past and present. The story goes back 200 years to the origins of the malevolent spirit, Manjulika, who was wronged, killed, and now haunts the palace. In the present day, Rooh Baba (Kartik Aaryan), a con artist claiming to be a psychic, is called upon by the royal family to exorcise Manjulika so they can sell the estate. With promises of wealth and a budding romance with the king’s daughter Meera (Triptii Dimri), Rooh Baba takes on the challenge, only to find himself in a web of twists and terror that challenge his wit and his courage.

Review: While Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 brings back some of the franchise’s familiar elements, it struggles to recreate the charm of its predecessors. The story, though brimming with potential, feels stretched at times, and the scares are more fleeting than frightening. The introduction of Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit as possible Manjulikas raises intrigue, yet their characters are underutilized. Kartik Aaryan’s Rooh Baba, initially energetic, starts feeling repetitive, and some jokes fall flat. The movie's attempts at humor through a supporting trio of pandits (Sanjay Mishra, Ashwini Kalsekar, and Rajpal Yadav) lack the wit that made earlier installments memorable.

Direction: Anees Bazmee continues to blend comedy with horror, but this installment lacks the tight pacing and layered suspense that made the first two films engaging. The movie juggles with grand themes—ancestral hauntings, family secrets, and palace politics—yet falls short of building an immersive atmosphere. The tonal shifts, particularly in the climax, feel abrupt, diluting the overall effect. While the screenplay is laden with twists, it lacks the freshness and coherence needed to sustain interest.

Why to Watch: For fans of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise, this movie offers a nostalgic return to the world of Manjulika and Rooh Baba, with some fun callbacks and familiar scares. Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit bring star power, and Kartik Aaryan’s antics as Rooh Baba do offer some laughs, albeit limited. The film’s extravagant sets and costumes bring to life the haunting elegance of the royal palace, and the romance between Rooh Baba and Meera adds a bit of charm.

Overall, while Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 may not deliver as the best in the series, it provides light-hearted entertainment for fans of Bollywood horror-comedy.