Less horror, more comedy

film REVIEW

Title: Bhooth Bangla

Director: Priyadarshan

Cast: Akshay Kumar, 

Wamiqa Gabbi, Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani

Where: In theatres near you 

Rating: HHH

Murtuza Iqbal

Director Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar have 

collaborated on movies like Hera Pheri, Garam Masala, Bhagam Bhag, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, De Dana Dan, and Khatta Meetha. Most of their collaborations have impressed the audience, so when it was announced that the director-actor duo was coming together for a horror-comedy titled Bhooth Bangla, everyone was super excited for the movie. So, is it worth your time and money? Read on to know that...

The film revolves around Arjun (Akshay Kumar), who stays in London with his father, Vasudev (Jisshu Sengupta), and sister Meera (Mithila Palkar). One day, Arjun and Meera come to know that their grandfather, who is no more, has left a palace for them as an inheritance in Mangalpur, India. Arjun goes to India and decides that Meera’s wedding will take place at the palace. However, according to people in the village, the palace is haunted, and nobody gets married in Mangalpur, as a demon named Vadhusur comes and takes the bride away. Now, Arjun has planned his sister’s wedding in Mangalpur. So, will the wedding happen without any problem, or will Arjun and his family have to face the demon?

The first half of the film is a proper Priyadarshan movie, with many hilarious scenes that will make you laugh out loud. In the first half, there are a few horror scenes, but the jump scares are missing. In the second half, the movie takes the dramatic route, and there are hardly any comedy scenes. But the dramatic portions, especially the flashback sequences, fail to keep us engaged. Also, the climax fails to give us an adrenaline rush.

Actors’ performances

Akshay Kumar is simply amazing in Bhooth Bangla, and his comic timing is excellent. Akkians are in for a treat! After Akshay, it is Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, and Asrani who have given fantastic performances in the film. Especially Yadav, he is just WOW!

When it comes to female leads, Mithila Palkar has the meatiest role, and she has done a good job. Wamiqa Gabbi looks very pretty, but she doesn’t have much to do in the film. One thing about Bhooth Bangla that disappoints a lot is that Tabu is wasted in the film. The role doesn’t do justice to her talent, and even the dance sequence featuring her is nowhere close to Mere Dholna.

Music

Bhooth Bangla has some 

decent songs, but the background score could have 

been better.

FPJ verdict

Overall, Bhooth Bangla has a very interesting concept, and the first half of the film is 

hilarious. But an average second half and not-so-great climax make the movie weak.