Do you know that in the latest Anees Bazmee movie, two strangers who have just met only hours back, hatch a plan that can put their lives at risk? That's the crux of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, my friends. Starring Kartik Aaryan, Kiara Advani, Tabu, Sanjay Mishra and Rajpal Yadav in key roles, this movie is not a sequel to the Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan starrer, so we suggest you detach yourself from the OG to be able to dive into this crazy world.
Letting go of the original film’s psychological thriller angle, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is a horror-comedy.
Kiara Advani and Kartik Aaryan in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2.
The film opens with an elaborate scene of a baba doing chaad-phood to lock Manjulika – the ghost - in a room. Terrified family members gather around to watch the ritual, because why not? We are still living in the age of Ramsay brothers.
Cut to eighteen years later, where we meet Ruhan (Kartik Aaryan), an unemployed boy who hails from a rich family. After his father passes away all he does is travel. On the other hand we have Reet (Kiara Advani), who plays this girl who knowns nothing about the city she spent four years in except her hostel and college. Imagine, that’s all she did because her father, who lives in ANOTHER city, is very strict and she doesn’t want to upset him.
As luck would have it, Reet and Ruhan cross paths in the most expected way possible. Zero points for creativity.
Ruhan convinces her to attend a music festival, but tragedy strikes when the bus they were originally on meets with an accident. The film picks pace when Ruhan and Reet hatch a plan to fool the latter's family because Reet stumbles upon a secret that affects her loved ones.
What's bizarre about the whole incident is that Ruhan, who barely knows Reet, decides at the drop of a hat that he is taking off to Reet's hometown Rajasthan to help her out.
Kartik Aaryan stars in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2.
(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)
The duo puts up at the haunted haveli from which the entire family fled since Manjulika was locked in one of the rooms. Reet tells Ruhaan stories about the house and the childhood she spent there.
When Reet's family learns that the haveli has once again come to life, hell breaks loose. The members rush there and are brainwashed by Ruhaan into staying in the house once again, and then resumes the eerie activities.
If that's not enough, wait for Ruhaan's transition into 'Rooh baba', a person who is supposedly blessed with magical capabilities to interact with ghosts. Some of the instances are hilarious.
The twist in the end also may not blow your mind, but it definitely lifts the film.
Imitation is a form of flattery and Akshay Kumar should feel very flattered. Kartik Aryan tries to ape Akshay Kumar’s dialogue delivery, which will lead to some laughs, but you will only be reminded of Akshay. With a more solid, tighter screenplay, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, a 2 hours 10 minutes film could have worked better if it was another 20 mins shorter. Aneez Bazmi does what he does best, and gives us yet another leave-your-brains-at home film.
This horror-comedy has a lot of puerile humour and, not much horror. While I can sit through jokes with a slapstick stance and roll my eyes, but what did not sit right with me were sexist and fat-shaming jokes. Are we still doing those? I guess if I was expecting more from this the joke is on me.
Manjulika’s make up in the film! I cracked up when she was on-screen. You know when you put those white face packs and leave on for one-to-many hours and then it starts to crack - that’s it. So, if you ever want to try the look, you know how to. I jumped in my seat only twice through the film – so don't expect too many jump scares.
Bhool Bhulaiyya 2 is an average film. Kiara is a delight to watch, while Rajpal Yadav and Sanjay Mishra make you laugh or smile (depending on your sensibilities) every time they are on screen.
However, the star of the film is Tabu, a two-time National Film Award winner who steals the show. Watch it for her and a few funny moments.
Our rating: 2.5 Quints out of 5
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