The Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise is a popular Bollywood horror-comedy series known for its unique blend of suspense, supernatural elements, and humor. So far, two movies have been released in this franchise: Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022).
Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)
Overview
- Director: Priyadarshan
- Cast:
- Akshay Kumar as Dr. Aditya Srivastava, a psychiatrist.
- Vidya Balan as Avni Chaturvedi/Manjulika, a woman possessed by a vengeful spirit.
- Shiney Ahuja as Siddharth Chaturvedi, Avni’s husband.
- Ameesha Patel as Radha, Siddharth’s cousin.
- Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, and Asrani add a comedic twist to the narrative.
Storyline
The plot revolves around a couple, Siddharth and Avni, who return to India and move into Siddharth’s ancestral palace. They soon encounter a series of strange, supernatural occurrences. Enter Dr. Aditya Srivastava (Akshay Kumar), a witty psychiatrist who tries to uncover the truth behind the haunting, which involves the spirit of a dancer named Manjulika. The film masterfully balances suspense, humor, and drama as Aditya unravels the mystery and helps Avni confront her inner demons.
Reception
The such movie received praise for its unique storyline, blending horror and comedy in a way that captivated audiences. Vidya Balan’s performance as a possessed woman earned widespread acclaim, and Akshay Kumar’s humor added light-hearted moments to the thriller. The movie became a cult classic and set a benchmark for horror-comedy in Bollywood.
Where to Watch
Bhool Bhulaiyaa is available on popular streaming platforms like Disney+ Hotstar and Netflix (availability may vary by region). You can also rent or purchase it on YouTube Movies and Google Play.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022)
Overview
- Director: Anees Bazmee
- Cast:
- Kartik Aaryan as Ruhan/Rooh Baba, a fraud psychic who accidentally becomes a hero.
- Kiara Advani as Reet, who becomes entangled in a supernatural situation.
- Tabu as Manjulika, a central character with a haunting past.
- Rajpal Yadav reprises his comedic role as Chhote Pandit, adding continuity to the franchise.
Storyline
In Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, the story follows Ruhan (Kartik Aaryan) and Reet (Kiara Advani), who get caught up in a supernatural mystery after opening a locked room in an old mansion. Unbeknownst to them, they’ve unleashed the spirit of Manjulika, setting off a chain of spooky and humorous events. Ruhan, pretending to be a psychic, is forced to face the real ghost, leading to both comical and suspenseful situations.
Reception
The film received a positive response from audiences for its humor, engaging plot, and performances, especially by Tabu in a dual role. While it didn’t delve as deeply into psychological horror as the first film, it still managed to capture the fun and thrills of the franchise, becoming a box-office hit and introducing Bhool Bhulaiyaa to a new generation.
Where to Watch
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is available on Netflix. It can also be found for rental or purchase on platforms like YouTube Movies and Google Play.
Future of the Franchise
The success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 has sparked rumors about a potential third installment, though no official announcements have been made yet. Given the growing popularity of horror-comedies in Bollywood, fans can likely look forward to more spooky laughs from the Bhool Bhulaiyaa universe!
