Director - Priyadarshan 
Cast- Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Jisshu Sengupta, Rajpal Yadav, Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi, Asrani 
Duration – 164 Minutes 
 
Bhooth Bangla brings back the celebrated pairing of Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, and with that comes a certain expectation—clean comedy, chaotic situations, and mass entertainment. The film does manage to tap into that nostalgia, but not without a few noticeable cracks in its execution.
 
At its core, the film is a horror-comedy that tries to balance scares with humour, and for the most part, it succeeds in keeping the audience engaged. The first half is especially light-hearted and delivers several genuinely funny moments, reminding you of Priyadarshan’s classic comic timing. The shift into horror elements is gradual, and while some sequences do create tension, the overall impact varies from scene to scene.
 
The story follows Arjun Acharya, who returns from London to North India to claim his ancestral property and ends up entangled in a supernatural mystery involving a feared entity known as “Vadhusur.” What begins as a simple family setup slowly turns into a layered narrative involving curses, disappearances, and unsettling revelations. The idea is interesting, and the core story holds attention, even when the screenplay wavers.
 
Akshay Kumar is in familiar territory, slipping comfortably into comedy while also handling the slightly darker shades of his character. His comic timing, especially in scenes with Rajpal Yadav and Paresh Rawal, lands well and brings back the old Priyadarshan-style humour that audiences enjoy. The supporting cast, including Asrani, adds a nostalgic touch. However, Wamiqa Gabbi’s character feels underwritten and doesn’t get enough space to leave a strong impression, which is disappointing given her potential.
 
On the technical side, the film is a mixed bag. The cinematography works well in creating an eerie atmosphere during horror sequences, but the editing is inconsistent and affects the overall flow, especially in the middle portions. The production design is solid and helps establish the setting convincingly, but some visual transitions feel rushed. The background score does its job in building mood, though it doesn’t always elevate the scares as much as it could have.
 
Priyadarshan’s direction reflects both confidence and restraint. He clearly understands comedy, and that comfort zone shows in the film’s lighter moments. However, the horror elements feel slightly less refined, and the blend of genres, while ambitious, isn’t always seamless. With tighter editing and stronger character development—especially for the female lead—the film could have reached a higher level.
 
In the end, Bhooth Bangla is still an enjoyable watch if you’re going in for entertainment rather than perfection. It has humour, a bit of horror, and enough nostalgic charm to keep audiences invested. It may not be Priyadarshan’s sharpest work, but it delivers enough moments to make it a decent theatrical experience—one where, despite its flaws, the laughter mostly wins.