Bou Buttu Bhuta

This Odia horror-thriller brings something fresh and thrilling to the industry. It's not just another Babushan film - in fact, it goes beyond Aparajita's presence, though she delivers yet another powerful performance. Despite her age, Aparajita's acting feels remarkably fresh and layered.

The entire cast shows impressive acting skills, proving that the film isn't carried by one or two stars but by collective talent. The screenplay is gripping, with a steady build-up of suspense, and the cinematography adds depth to the eerie atmosphere without relying on clichés.

What makes this film stand out is its smart storytelling and visual treatment - a rare combination in Odia cinema. It's a relief to see Babushan choosing different, meaningful scripts.

Overall, the film is a welcome step forward for the industry, proving that Odia cinema is ready to explore bold themes with both style and substance.

"I went into Bou Buttu Bhoota with huge expectations after all my friends insisted I watch it. The film started nicely, and I was genuinely proud of the director. But after the first act, it went downhill faster than Zayed khan's career. Post-interval, it felt like everyone from the cinematographer, director, editor, and writer were on some wild trip-except the actors, who were amazing throughout but left stranded. The screenplay was messy and amateurish, the editing choppy, and the scenes jumped around with no rhythm. Even the horror treatment after Buttu becomes Bhuta was below average, and trust me, I'm someone who gets scared very easily. There was zero eerie atmosphere, just confusion.

The writer chose to put all the logic in a jar and threw it in the river. Just when tension would build, they would cut to something irrelevant, killing any momentum. Buttu's flashback about his father added nothing, and Amri's tragic backstory fell flat because they barely spent time on it. There was no proper closure for either character, Buttu or Bhuta. And don't get me started on Bhuta. Ghosts usually have some kind of motive, right? Revenge, unfinished business-something. This one just floated around like, "Hmm, should I terrify someone today? Nah, maybe tomorrow." One second he's running, the next he's flying-sometimes powerful, mostly just... lost.

Still, credit where it's due. It's making crores, and that's great for the industry. Maybe next time, though, they'll focus on storytelling instead of just vibes.

A packed theatre on a Friday the 13th night in Bengaluru screening the Oriya film "Bou Buttu Bhuta" is nothing short of a 'wow' moment.

The hope for a truly great Oriya film has often ended in disappointment, leaving movie lovers feeling overshadowed by other regional industries. In conversations about cinema, Oriya voices have often had little to contribute. Now, with this film, Ollywood isn't just whispering-it's beginning to roar.

No Spoilers - Just a Few Highlights from the Buzz in Ollywood

Story Telling - One of the standout reasons Bou Buttu Bhuta resonates so deeply with audiences is its storytelling. Great cinema always begins with a compelling narrative, and this film delivers, thanks to the brilliance of Jagadish Mishra. A true maverick in Ollywood, Mishra steps outside the conventional box while still staying rooted in what defines an Oriya film. Complementing this vision is Mohammad Imran's exceptional screenplay, which adds depth and nuance to the narrative.

He masterfully weaves in elements that are quintessentially Odia- folklore, spirit, family disputes, khati (casual hangouts), puja chanda (festival donations), and even mutton-which, interestingly, might serve as a metaphor. These cultural touchpoints aren't just background-they're the soul of the story, making it both authentic and relatable. Cinematographer Rudrakanta Singh deserves special credit for beautifully capturing the natural essence of Odisha, bringing its landscapes to life with remarkable authenticity.

Character Building - A Refreshing Surprise

One of the most delightful surprises in Bou Buttu Bhuta is its character development. For the first time in a long while, the characters feel genuinely believable and engaging. Within just 30 minutes, the audience finds themselves emotionally invested-rooting for Babushan or Aparajita Maam to succeed.

Whether it's hoping they catch more fish in their metaphorical pond, triumph over a cunning cousin, win a complicated love, or simply escape a chaotic crowd despite his own wrong doing-the characters evoke real empathy. The director succeeds brilliantly here, crafting a fictional world so compelling that viewers are not just watching-they're cheering, feeling, and living every moment of "Bou Buttu Bhuta".

Runtime & Pacing - A Bold Choice That Pays Off

At 2 hours and 56 minutes, Bou Buttu Bhuta may seem lengthy by today's standards, and some might argue that trimming 20-25 minutes could have made it tighter. But I respectfully disagree. The film holds your attention throughout-every scene feels purposeful, and there's hardly a dull moment.

While some may have expected more of Babushan's eccentric flair, the director chose a more subtle portrayal, aligning with the film's thriller tone rather than leaning into horror. It's a creative decision that adds depth and keeps the suspense alive, proving that sometimes restraint can be more powerful than excess.

Background Score - A Rare Treat in Ollywood

The background music by Rudranarayan Malik in Bou Buttu Bhuta stands out as a refreshing change for Ollywood, where such attention to sound design is not always the norm. While the score leans a bit loud at times, it effectively elevates the emotion and intensity of nearly every scene-hitting the mark about 95% of the time.

It's a bold and welcome move that adds cinematic depth, proving that sound can be just as powerful as visuals in storytelling.

Performances - A Stellar Ensemble

Bou (Aparajita Maam): A class act as always, Aparajita delivers a performance that's both powerful and unexpected. Known for her charm and grace, seeing her portray an exorcist adds a shock value-and she absolutely exceeds expectations. The role gave her ample scope to showcase her range, and she made every moment count.

Buttu (Babushan): Babushan brings a natural ease to the screen. His restrained performance aligns perfectly with the script's demands, proving once again that subtlety can be just as impactful as intensity.

Bhuta: The portrayal of Bhuta deserves special mention. The character's eccentricities are thrilling, chilling, and downright haunting. Words fall short in capturing the sheer skill and presence brought to this role-it's a performance that lingers long after the credits roll.

It's also refreshing to see new faces-especially Mandakini Jena-(hauntingly powerful performance), breaking the monotony of recycled talent and adding a fresh layer of authenticity to the film.

And Finally - Jagadish Mishra, Take a Bow

Jagadish Mishra has truly redefined the filmmaking landscape of Ollywood. With Bou Buttu Bhuta, he breaks away from the clichés-no longer is the Odisha is confined to dhoti-clad villagers and Jaga. Instead, we see characters who speak naturally, live authentically, and reflect the evolving spirit of Odisha.

The closest parallel I can draw is Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai-a film that marked a turning point in Bollywood. Similarly, Bou Buttu Bhuta feels like a stepping stone to a new era in Odia cinema-one that speaks to the heart of the Odia audience and promises much more to come.

Bou Buttu Bhuta is a refreshing experiment in Odia cinema, blending comedy and horror with a touch of rural black magic folklore. It's a bold move for Ollywood and thankfully, it works well for the most part.

The first half is a riot, funny, eerie, and packed with moments that genuinely entertain. It brings back memories of Bollywood films like Stree and Bhediya but with a rooted Odia twist. Babushaan delivers a solid performance and Aparajita is equally impressive, handling both the spooky and the silly with ease.

The second half, however, doesn't quite match the energy of the first. A song placed right after the interval slows things down and feels unnecessary. Still, credit where it's due, the story, theme, and setting are refreshing for Ollywood standards.

Bou Buttu Bhuta is a nice movie overall. It's not perfect but it's a good try and a welcome change. Hats off to Babushaan for bringing such new stories to the big screen and pushing Ollywood in an exciting direction.

Redefining cinema, reshaping the industry. Babushan's performance is nothing short of phenomenal. A true masterpiece that raises the bar for generations. Not just a movie - it's a movement. Watching it in PVR was an absolute delight. The film starts a bit slow and the songs could use more depth, but the acting by the entire cast is unmatchable. It's heartwarming to witness such dedication and talent in a regional film. We can proudly say: the Odia industry is rising, and this film is a shining example of that growth. The future of Odia cinema looks brighter than ever. #babushan#mothersonduo#architaandteam. Welldone.