Film: Bhooth Bangla

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Asrani, Rajpal Yadav, Jisshu Sengupta, Rajesh Sharma, Wamiqa Gabbi, Mithila Palkar

Director: Priyadarshan

Rating: 4 Moons

Storyline 

The story revolves around Arjun Acharya (Akshay Kumar), an NRI who is pure-hearted but habitually a slacker, and has made his father Vasudev’s (Jisshu Sengupta) life miserable by constantly borrowing money. His sister Meera's (Mithila Palkar) wedding is finalized, and the two set out in search of a venue that is budget-friendly yet regal. The plot takes a twist when their grandfather's will reveals a palace and land worth 500 crore located in a village called Mangalpur. Viewing in this a golden opportunity, Arjun decides to hold the wedding there. However, in reality the village turns out to be something entirely different. The terror of a malevolent entity known as 'Vadhusur' has left Mangalpur deserted and has effectively put a ban on weddings. But behind this, lies an enthralling story that adds depth and emotional weight to the horror of the narrative. The circumstances Arjun finds himself trapped within this haunted palace, the mystery of Vadhusur, and the ghost’s relationship with the film’s characters, form the core of the film's intrigue and entertainment value.

Acting
This film pays beautiful tribute to the late Asrani, and seeing him on screen is a moving experience. But Akshay Kumar is the true show-stealer and his comic timing is as superb as his sheer presence is intense. Tabu makes an impression, while Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav hilariously evoke a sense of nostalgia and make the film truly entertaining with their impeccable comic chemistry. Wamiqa Gabbi leaves a decent impact in her role and brings a breath of freshness to the screen. While Mithila Palkar performs her part with simplicity.

Direction 

Priyadarshan retains his signature style — loud, funny, and brimming with emotion – and proves that he has a firm grasp on the horror-comedy genre. He remains completely relevant and continues to weave his magic within this genre. Reimagining iconic scenes from ‘Bhagam Bhag’ in a fresh avatar lends the film a distinct nostalgic touch.

Dialogues

Priyadarshan is iconic for his film’s memorable dialogues. That signature magic is evident in ‘Bhooth Bangla’, where the jokes penned and presented by him land with such effortless ease that laughter comes naturally. The film evokes the feeling that the golden era of Hindi cinema when comedy was born not merely out of noise, but out of situations and dialogues, is back.

Music

Songs like ‘O Sundari’ and ‘Ram Ji Aake Bhala Karenge’ keep the film's tone light and entertaining. The tracks blend seamlessly with the narrative and are memorable for long. 

Overall

The Akshay-Priyadarshan reunion after 14 years generously delivers chills and chuckles. There is humour as well as horror and mind-boggling VFX sequences that elevate the film’s visual appeal. 'Bhooth Bangla' is a family entertainer that you can sit back and thoroughly enjoy.