Bhooth Bangla struggles to match Bhool Bhulaiyaa magic, critic says
Bhooth Bangla struggles to match Bhool Bhulaiyaa magic, critic says
Critics say Bhooth Bangla misses the iconic magic of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, with Neeraj Vora's writing absence blamed as the film leans into mythic horror without the same charm.
After watching Bhooth Bangla, critics say it’s nowhere close to Bhool Bhulaiyaa’s signature chaos and gags. While it doubles down on mytho-horror, the film never recovers the spark Vidya Balan lent to Manjulika in the earlier classic.
What saves some Priyadarshan-Akshay duets is their mischievous energy with one quirky character riffing off another. In Bhooth Bangla, that sarthi — the guiding hand behind the jokes — is missing. The narrative flips between mythological jargon and loose ends, and the weakly choreographed moments, including a misfired dance sequence, drag down the tension.
The absence of Neeraj Vora is highlighted as the reason the film lacks a tight, witty screenplay. The chase sequence, while technically well-executed, can’t compensate for an underdeveloped plot and underutilized performances, even with Akshay Kumar and Tabu in the frame.
Box-office chatter shows Bhooth Bangla aiming for Rs 100 crore domestic and posting a worldwide haul near Rs 127 crore, still trailing big numbers from rivals and providing a mixed reception for the horror-comedy audience.
Bottom line: a missed opportunity in a tech-enabled era, where a strong writer could have balanced myth with humor and emotion.
