Today, we all love to claim we have a slightly unhinged sense of humour, and honestly, it checks out, considering many of us grew up watching Priyadarshan films. From the chaos of De Dana Dan and Bhagam Bhag to the cult horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Priyadarshan’s brand of madness shaped a whole generation. Now, he’s back with Bhooth Bangla, reuniting with Akshay Kumar for another spooky comedy. The film promises eerie settings, comic confusion, and that signature Priyadarshan-style mayhem, but does it really deliver? Read our review of Bhooth Bangla to find out.

A haunted palace possessed by a demon who steals brides

Set in a sleepy town, Bhooth Bangla follows a London-returned man, Arjun Acharya, who arrives at his ancestral palace to host his sister, Meera’s, wedding. He hires Jagdish (Paresh Rawal), a wedding planner, to deck the palace. Soon, Arjun gets to know that the palace is cursed with Vadhusur’s demonic powers.

What starts off as a grand, slightly chaotic family gathering quickly spirals into bizarre incidents, terrified locals, and a string of eerie happenings that no one can quite explain. As the mystery deepens, Arjun is forced to confront the palace’s eerie past, unravelling a legend that’s far more sinister than the comedy lets on.

Bhooth Bangla movie review: Might rewatch Bhool Bhulaiyaa again

Priyadarshan and his iconic gang, featuring Akshay Kumar, Asrani, Rajpal Yadav, and Paresh Rawal, have always knocked it out of the park with their signature comic timing. So, it’s obvious to expect the same, and more, from their reunion in Bhooth Bangla, but it falls flat on its face. The humour mostly feels outdated, except for a few jokes that land well, sometimes even making you gasp for breath while laughing.

The palace setup, showcasing beautiful antique showpieces, will take you back to Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Then there’s Asrani and Akshay’s banter that will remind you of Khatta Meetha, Rajpal Yadav’s humorously angry character arc, like Chup Chup Ke, and Paresh Rawal’s chaotically confused Jagdish, much like Hera Pheri‘s Baburao. These moments will make you wholeheartedly say it’s a Priyadarshan film. Just when you’re happily swimming in the nostalgia pool, Bhooth Bangla turns off the light, not to scare you, but to bore you to sleep.

The horror comedy also features a romantic angle between Akshay and Wamiqa Gabbi’s characters. Except there’s little chemistry between the two, also due to the evident age gap. But it’s Akshay and Mithila Palkar’s sibling arc that feels relatable and wholesome.

Bhooth Bangla: Final verdict

The film struggles to find a balance. Bhooth Bangla starts off on a light note, then suddenly shifts into a storytelling phase that refuses to end. Bhooth Bangla somehow still delivers the laughs, but the jump scares? Not enough. So, if you just want to get entertained by the humour, go book your tickets.

Bhooth Bangla is now running in theatres.

Can you watch Bhooth Bangla with your family?: Yes, the film doesn’t portray explicit intimacy or obscene language. But there are a few double-meaning jokes and scenes that might make you slightly awkward.

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