Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3

November 1, 2024, has brought us two second sequels: Singham 3 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. After my disappointment with Singham 3, I was hoping Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 might offer the comic relief and freshness the action flick sorely lacked. Unfortunately, it ended up being just another 2 hours, 38 minutes, 750 rupees, and several brain cells wasted.

The original Bhool Bhulaiyaa stood out for its clever storytelling, thanks to Priyadarshan's deft direction and a cast that brought depth to a grounded psychological thriller. It remains iconic not only for its suspense but for its genuine humor and tension.

While I wasn't a fan of the second installment-and Bollywood's trend of pseudo-sequels rarely impresses-Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 actually makes the second movie look decent in comparison. This third entry is entirely unnecessary, lacking any semblance of genuine acting, humor, or originality.

The film suffers from a predictable, recycled plot, cringe-worthy performances, and cheap jump scares that are more ear-piercing than frightening. And to top it all off, the ending reveal is, to say the least, absurd-a last-ditch attempt at a twist that falls flat and only adds to the ridiculousness. Not a single moment compels or even amuses; it's just a tedious rehash of tropes and tired slapstick that never lands.

To put it simply, this movie shouldn't have been made. Now that it exists, my only request: please, let's stop here.

I went into Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 with cautious hopes, especially after the trailer didn't give much to be excited about. But wow, even those low expectations couldn't save me from the disappointment this movie turned out to be.

Story & Direction: Lacking the Charm

Remember the spooky charm and clever storytelling that made Bhool Bhulaiyaa 1 so memorable? Well, that's nowhere to be found here. The plot feels lazy and predictable, with a twist that's so forced it actually made me laugh. It's like the filmmakers just threw in a twist for the sake of it, hoping to cash in on nostalgia without putting in any effort to create something engaging. This is the kind of movie that reminds you how much Bollywood can fall short when it gets too comfortable relying on past successes.

Visuals & VFX: Subpar at Best

Visually, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is a letdown. At times, it genuinely looked like half the film was AI-generated, with backgrounds that felt more like placeholders than actual settings. The VFX is not only underwhelming but oddly cheap for a franchise film. It's almost as if they cut corners at every possible turn, leaving us with something that doesn't even look convincing.

Performances: Just Going Through the Motions

Even the cast seems half-hearted. No standout performances, no real depth-just actors running through their lines without much conviction. It's surprising (and disappointing) to see such a talented cast fall flat, and it's clear that the lack of a solid script didn't help them either.

Music: A Little Saving Grace

If there's one decent moment, it's probably the Ami Je Tomar reprise. I won't say it lives up to the original, but it's one of the rare moments in the film that doesn't feel entirely phoned in. Let's just say it recovers about 6% of my ticket price-a small but needed mercy in a film that otherwise misses the mark completely.

The Final Word

In the end, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is a disappointing attempt to cash in on a beloved franchise without bringing anything new, creative, or even mildly satisfying. It's a shame to see a series that started off so strong get diluted down to this level. Bollywood's overreliance on sequels and spin-offs is really starting to show, and this movie is a prime example of how that approach can backfire.

If you're a fan of the original Bhool Bhulaiyaa, prepare to be let down. It's the kind of movie that makes you wish they had left the franchise alone instead of stretching it beyond its limit.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 tries to channel the spirit of its predecessors but ends up wandering down a winding path filled with missed opportunities and cringe-worthy moments. Imagine a horror-comedy that forgot its script in the fridge-chilly, stale, and way past its expiration date.

First off, let's talk about the screenplay. It seems like the writers took a few notes from the "How to Stretch a Plot" handbook, adding unnecessary subplots that make you question if you accidentally walked into a different movie. Just when you think the main story might kick in, we're sidetracked by distractions that even the characters seem to forget about. The humor, intended to be the film's saving grace, often feels forced, like a dad joke at a family gathering. "Is this supposed to be funny?" becomes the unifying sentiment of the audience, as we collectively shake our heads in disbelief.

Character development? More like character neglect. With one-dimensional roles that would barely pass for cardboard cutouts, it's hard to find any reason to root for these characters. They stumble through the plot like they're lost in a haunted house, searching for the exit but only finding poorly written dialogues. When the most compelling character is the ghost that could have at least livened things up, you know you're in trouble.

Now let's address the pacing. It feels like the film is auditioning for a marathon, dragging certain scenes out to the point where you wonder if you've accidentally entered a time warp. And just when you think a comedic moment might land, it crashes harder than a poorly timed joke at a funeral. The tonal shifts are about as smooth as a brick wall, leaving the audience in a constant state of confusion. Are we laughing? Crying? Are we even watching the same film?

The so-called comedic trio of Rajpal Yadav, Sanjay Mishra, and Ashwini Kalsekar adds to the chaos with their brand of slapstick nonsense that feels less like comic relief and more like a desperate attempt to fill airtime. Their antics are about as funny as stepping on a LEGO-painful and utterly bewildering. Yadav's trademark silliness seems out of place, often turning potentially clever setups into cringe-fests that would make even a seasoned comedian wince. Meanwhile, Mishra's over-the-top expressions and Kalsekar's attempts at physical comedy frequently miss the mark, leaving us with the feeling that we've signed up for a clown convention instead of a horror-comedy film.

Visually, the film has its moments, but many scenes feel like a retread of every horror trope in the book. The predictable scares are like seeing your old high school crush at a reunion-familiar, but ultimately disappointing. When the special effects look like they belong in a low-budget web series, you can't help but wonder if they ran out of budget before they could afford some originality.

In conclusion, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is a sequel that stumbles along with a misplaced sense of direction. It's like a party where the snacks are stale, the music is off-key, and the host forgot to invite anyone. If you're looking for a film that captures the charm and wit of the earlier entries, you might want to reconsider your options. Otherwise, grab some popcorn, settle in, and prepare for a cinematic experience that'll leave you scratching your head and wondering what just happened.

(With Special Thanks to Mr. Vishal Madan (GM, Cinepolis)

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is the unfortunate result of a franchise that's been stretched too thin. What began as a captivating blend of horror and comedy in the original has now become a lifeless imitation with little to offer. The film tries to revive the magic of the first installment, but instead delivers an uninspired mix of forced humor, predictable scares, and a storyline that feels like it's on autopilot.

The plot is all over the place, meandering from one disjointed scene to another without any real sense of direction. It lacks the clever psychological elements that made the original film so engaging, replacing them with bland, recycled plot points and overused horror cliches. The "twist" is painfully predictable, and when the big reveal finally happens, it's hard to care because the characters have been so poorly developed.

Kartik Aaryan, though charismatic, doesn't bring the same energy as Akshay Kumar did in the original. His character feels more like a caricature than a protagonist, delivering one-liners that fall flat and facing paranormal threats that seem more comical than frightening. Kiara Advani's character is similarly underwhelming, with little to do but serve as a sidekick.

And let's not even get started on the horror elements. The jump scares are more laughable than terrifying, with cheap CGI effects that make you wonder if the film's budget went anywhere near the effects department. Instead of suspense, we get loud sound effects and cringe-worthy "spooky" moments that don't land at all.

In short, "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3" is a disappointing cash grab, banking on the success of the original but missing everything that made it a classic. Fans of the franchise might want to skip this one to preserve their memories of the first film this one's just not worth it save your time and money take family for lunch & dinner Bhool Bhulaiyaa part one is the best part of this franchise.

The only thing that carried the entire film were some good jokes, other than good jokes there was no actual creativity in writing like the first part the story kept changing and there were way too many plots to be put in a single film which makes it confusing yet non flowable for viewers, this movie was good for entertainment but there was no actual thrill or anything memorable that a movie should have to be remembered, cinematics were also too over exaggerated, too many scenes were made out of the blue and had no context what so ever, even the acting of a few actors was unwanted and overreacting at some point. I'd recommend this movie to watch only with the purpose of entertainment not a movie sense.