Bhooth Bangla Review: Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan’s Reunion Is the Comedy Revival We Needed
Rating: 3.5/5 Director: Priyadarshan Cast: Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Tabu, Mithila Palkar, Wamiqa Gabbi
Fourteen years is a long time between collaborations. But the moment Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan get back in a room together — throw in Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav for good measure — it becomes clear that some creative partnerships don’t age. Bhooth Bangla is a gleefully chaotic horror comedy that does exactly what it sets out to do, and does most of it very well.
What It’s About
Arjun (Akshay Kumar) is a financially ruined spoilt brat who lands at his grandfather’s sprawling palace in Mangalpur, Jaipur, hoping to host his sister Meera’s wedding there. The palace, however, comes with a reputation — a ghost that abducts every new bride. Arjun dismisses the warnings, the guests arrive, and things quickly spiral into exactly the kind of chaotic, laugh-out-loud mayhem Priyadarshan built his legacy on.
What Works
The casting is the film’s biggest asset. Reuniting Akshay, Paresh Rawal, and Rajpal Yadav under Priyadarshan’s direction is less a creative choice and more a guaranteed delivery mechanism for comedy — and it works precisely as advertised. The first half is a genuinely delightful ride, packed with sharp situational humor and dialogue that echoes the energy of Bhaagam Bhaag, Hungama, and Chup Chup Ke. Fans of that era will feel it immediately.
The palace setting leans into Bhool Bhulaiyaa territory in the best possible way, and the nostalgia hits land consistently. A standout surprise is the visual effects — the second half depends heavily on VFX to carry a crucial plot twist, and it is executed with a finesse that this genre rarely delivers.
What Doesn’t Work
The songs are largely forgettable and the film would have been tighter without them. Wamiqa Gabbi’s track feels slightly disconnected from the main narrative. And for anyone deeply familiar with Priyadarshan’s filmmaking style, the direction can feel predictable — though that is arguably the price of loving a filmmaker who has mastered his own formula.
The Performances
Akshay Kumar is in his element, delivering impeccable comic timing while transitioning smoothly between comedy, emotion, and action. He overshadows almost everyone on screen, and that is not a complaint — it’s what this film needed.
Rajpal Yadav as Balli is an absolute riot from first appearance to last. His camaraderie with Akshay and Paresh Rawal creates a hilariously chaotic triangle that carries large stretches of the film on its own. Paresh Rawal as Jaggu is in top form — his dynamic with both characters, built on mutual friction, generates laugh after laugh.
The late Asrani gets meaningful screen time and brings genuine gravitas to his role through sheer command of dialogue and physicality. Tabu, in a brief appearance, leaves exactly the impression you’d expect — effortless and memorable. Mithila Palkar, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Jisshu Sengupta provide solid support throughout.
The Verdict
Bhooth Bangla is exactly the kind of film Bollywood comedy has been missing — a well-crafted, nostalgic, genuinely funny horror comedy that trusts its cast and its genre. The forgettable songs and occasional predictability are minor complaints against a film that delivers consistent entertainment and a surprisingly polished second half. Go in ready for jump scares. You have been warned.