The Kartik, Kiara-starrer holds its own against the original; Tabu steals the show
It’s quite difficult to watch a sequel in isolation and not draw comparisons with the original. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 definitely falls in this category as the first film — starring Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan — became a stupendous hit at the box office and has attained somewhat of a cult status. Cut to 2022 with Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani trying to recreate the same magic and Tabu lending an able support. Director Anees Bazmee has added newer elements of thrill. But it’s Aakash Kaushik’s story (who also wrote the dialogues) that gives the actors a huge canvas to perform.
Ruhan Randhawa (Aaryan) and
Reet Thakur (Advani) meet at a hill station, and there’s an instant click, followed by a song-and-dance sequence. Things unfold in a manner that Ruhan and Reet land up at the abandoned haveli where Manjulika’s spirit is believed to be held captive for 18 years. And in no time, Ruhan turns into Rooh Baba and convinces people that he can talk to ghosts. What happens when he unleashes the spirit that’s been locked there?
While there’s nothing common between this sequel and the 2007 film, except Manjulika, the background score and the song Ami Je Tomar constantly take you back to the original and you end up comparing. Nevertheless, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is a fresh story and it holds its ground. I’m glad that Anees Bazmee has not just resorted to jump scares to fit the genre; there are actual moments of ghostly encounters that take you by surprise. Given that the director has a strong hold on the comedy genre, too, there’s no dearth of comedy in Bhool
Bhulaiyaa 2. After a long time I got to see audiences laugh out so hard on clean jokes. I must mention the unmatched cheering at the entry of Chota Pandit (Rajpal Yadav), who is perhaps the only (living) character carried forward from the original.
Aaryan’s performance doesn’t disappoint. He gets ample scope to show his acting chops, dancing skills and comic timing. Advani looks gorgeous in each frame. Sadly, her chemistry with Aaryan doesn’t do any magic. While we see very little of Tabu in the first half, she takes over the majority of post-interval scenes and is amazing with her screen presence. Is she as good as Balan? I leave that up to you.
However, one thing I just can’t wrap my head around is the makeup ghosts get in Bollywood. What’s with this cakey white face with cracks? Ghosts looked way better in the ’80s and ’90s and were still scary without the zombie-like makeover.
Among other supporting cast, actors Sanjay Mishra, Ashwini Kalsekar and Rajesh Sharma have some hilarious moments. Milind Gunaji and Amar Upadhyay, too, have essential parts but very limited screen time.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 doesn’t bore you. It doesn’t leave you in absolute awe either. It cracks you up often, makes you question the logic of it all sometimes. But in the end, it’s a family entertainer that doesn’t walk on the crutches of slapstick comedy.