Directed by: Priyadarshan
Written by:
Aakash Kaushik, Abilash Nair, Priyadarshan
Bhoot Bangla cast: Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Wamiqa Gabbi, Rajpal Yadav, Mithila Palkar, Asrani ji, Tabu
Bhoot Bangla movie rating: 2/5
Bhoot Bangla is now in theatres near you, and well, this horror-comedy is going to definitely bring some mixed reactions. Featuring Akshay Kumar, Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, and Mithila Palkar, among others, the horror-comedy has been creating a lot of buzz. I saw the film at one of the paid previews on April 16, and here’s my honest review of the film.
Bhoot Bangla attempts to do its thing
Balaji Telefilms
Bhoot Bangla starts on a light note, and while it takes its time to build its narrative and finally get to what we love the most about a horror-comedy, it also sort of puts you off with things that don’t go very well for the film. The first half is way better than what follows, primarily because the laughs are all stored in there, and it just works, whatever can be the film’s saving grace, and it’s there.
Sure, Akshay, Priyadarshan and a bunch of OG people that we love make a novel attempt, but sadly, that’s all it is left at.
The performances try to do their thing
Balaji Telefilms
Akshay Kumar sure has found his thing with another role that he does very well, and of course, he gives us some of the funniest moments, but you can’t let go of those bits where he ends up overacting here and there. But the chemistry that Akshay brings along with Rajpal Yadav and Paresh Rawal is truly a class apart, and together, they’ve brought everyone the loudest of laughs and cheers. Rajpal and Paresh’s comic timing has always been loved by all, and with Bhoot Bangla, that’s exactly what they brought to us.
Mithila Palkar and Wamiqa Gabbi, meanwhile, don’t technically have much to do, and that’s not even surprising, because well. Tabu, meanwhile, as we all know, has an extended special appearance, and while she does good, her pairing with Akshay proves why he should find the right co-stars instead of romancing such young actors, among other things.
What works and what doesn’t work
Balaji Telefilms
One doesn’t expect too much to go right in the story when it is a horror-comedy film, don’t they? But as it turns out, there are things you question, including how there are obviously moments that turn out a certain way for cinematic value, and they just don’t seem to be likeable. There’s this one scene with Akshay Kumar and Wamiqa Gabbi’s first meeting where she gets pushed out of the train’s door, but he pulls her inside, and it’s supposed to be a meet-cute, but it is nothing of that sort.
There are many such instances, and some very predictable moments that eventually don’t leave you surprised, but as one would have it, the other moments of humour sort of bring the film up. Sadly, even someone like me who isn’t big on horror, doesn’t get as many jump scares as one would expect, and the idea of involving a separte timeline like a history lesson, feels really stretched.
Our verdict on Bhoot Bangla
Balaji Telefilms
Bhoot Bangla doesn’t turn out to be the OG Bhool Bhulaiyaa sequel that many thought it’d be, but the film sure has its moments, and that makes for enough laughter, some jump scares, and a fun watch, to say the least. Does the movie live up to the hype it has built over the weeks leading up to the film’s release? Not so much, but is it a badly made film? Well, it could’ve had bigger moments and a tighter script, for sure.
Lead and social image credits: Balaji Telefilms
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