Bhooth Bangla review: A few giggles, few scares, a few missed opportunities 

Set against the foggy, eerie lanes of Mangalpur, Bhooth Bangla kicks off with a genuinely intriguing premise. The mysterious spirit called Vadhusur is lurking in the shadows to abduct the newly married women under bizarre circumstances. It’s the kind of setup that instantly pulls you in; however, what follows doesn’t quite live up to the promise. 

The plot tries to combine two very distinct film genres – horror and comedy. The combination of these two genres is one that Bollywood has successfully delivered on multiple occasions in the past. Here, Akshay Kumar portrays the central character who has been pulled into the web of the Vadhusur mystery and will attempt to unravel the truth behind what is happening in Mangalpur. 

The narrative moves through a mix of spooky encounters, comedic detours, and a predictable unraveling of Vadhusur. While the first half manages to build some intrigue, the film gradually loses grip. The plot starts to feel undercooked, as if the film continued to build up tension for something grand, but failed to deliver anything remotely close to that. By the end of the movie, you find yourself yawning rather than gasping from the end comedic relief. 

Director Priyadarshan has a distinctive style that is evident in this film: chaotic in a light-hearted way, fast-paced in terms of humor, and situational comedy. And yes, there are some instances in this movie where these elements worked well together. A few scenes genuinely land, especially when the film leans fully into its comedic side. However, the horror element was not fully developed. Also, at times, the camera’s angle and staging did not support the intended movie mood, which takes away from both the scares and the storytelling. 

Akshay Kumar, as expected, is in familiar territory when it comes to comedy. He is still bringing his timing, facial expressions, and silliness to the screen. Unfortunately, one of the biggest issues with Akshay continuing to act in roles that are for men who are significantly younger has become more visible in his romantic scenes with Wamiqa Gabbi. The age gap is evident, the chemistry is missing, and the entire romantic element feels forced and unnecessary. 

Wamiqa Gabbi and Mithila Palkar have very little to do in this movie as their characters feel more like add-ons rather than integral parts of the story, which is disappointing, but not surprising, given the film’s heavy focus on its male lead. 

There’s a silver lining; however, the supporting actors of the movie carry much of it when it comes to being entertaining. Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, and Asrani provide the humour that this film lacks. Their contribution to the movie certainly makes up for some of its poor execution, and they remind you of the charm that ensemble comedy can bring. 

That being said, the film is not too shy to show its inspirations on its sleeve; in fact, some of them are shown very openly. For example, many scenes are very similar to those found in Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and the déjà vu factor becomes even stronger in a dance sequence with Tabu and Akshay Kumar. Instead of getting deeper into the story of Bhooth Bangla, it ends up reminding you of how iconic the original moment was. In addition, Tabu’s cameo should have been a highlight of the film; however, it ultimately feels unnecessary and adds little to the overall narrative. 

Another questionable casting choice is that of 49-year-old Jisshu Sengupta as 58-year-old Akshay Kumar’s father. This is very mismatched, and every scene featuring them pulls you out of the story rather than drawing you in. 

That said, the background score does a good job of adding to the occasional scares, working in the film’s favor when the visuals fall short. 

Verdict 

Overall, Bhooth Bangla is a film that has a few good laughs and some moments that can hold your attention, but struggles to leave a lasting impact. It feels like a missed opportunity, a great idea that never fully materializes into a compelling experience. Watch it for a few chuckles, but don’t expect to be haunted long after it ends. 

Rating: 2/5 stars