When Horror-Comedy Digs Up Its Own Grave (Again)

When Horror-Comedy Digs Up Its Own Grave (Again) - My quick take on Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (Theatrical release)

A Horror-Comedy or Comedy-Horror? Even the Ghosts Can’t Decide.

It’s back! The franchise that seems as undying as its ghosts has returned with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, making us wonder if we’re supposed to laugh, scream, or simply ask, “Why, oh why?” After the head-scratching success of the second installment, which critics panned but audiences ate up, we’re now served yet another dish of “spooky masala” – reheated for the third time.

Anees Bazmee, the self-proclaimed AB of Bollywood entertainment, is back at it, throwing in some budget VFX, lukewarm jumpscares, and a script with more holes than a haunted mansion. Familiar faces like Vijay Raaz, Rajpal Yadav, and Sanjay Mishra do their best to wring out laughs in a laughably random plot that leaves logic at the door. Sure, they manage a chuckle or two, but it’s more out of pity than genuine amusement.

This time, Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit make an appearance for a double dhamaka (or should we say double déjà vu?), even treating us to a kathak vs. odissi showdown that almost makes you forget about the rest of the mess—almost. And while Akshay Kumar is thankfully nowhere to be found, thus saving us from Buddha Budhiya 3 😜, Kartik (Chandu champion) Aaryan does his best to be the “Bhutiya Champion.” But let’s just say his spookiest act remains making it through this script with a straight face.

On the positives, the beautiful location of Orchha (MP) and its lovely monuments is simply awesome and hauntingly inviting me to pay a visit.

And, not that anyone’s asking, but who knows if Bhool Bhulaiyaa 4 is already being plotted. After BB3’s trip back to the 18th century, I can only guess the next stop is the Jurassic Age. Imagine a T-Rex belting out “Aami Manjoulika” in auto-tune—who needs ghosts when you’ve got a prehistoric diva?