Kartik Aaryan
Ruhaan Randhawa / Rooh Baba
Overview
Rooh Baba ventures into a haunted mansion in the kingdom of Raktaghat in West Bengal, where he confronts two vengeful spirits, both asserting to be Manjulika.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Haunted House That Forgot How to Scare
I’ve seen this trick before. A haunted mansion, a skeptical hero, a vengeful spirit with a grudge—it’s the kind of setup that should feel like slipping into a well-worn armchair, familiar and comforting. But Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 doesn’t just sit in that armchair; it slumps into it like a teenager who’s been told to clean their room.
The film knows the moves, the beats, the jump scares and the comic relief, but somewhere along the way, it forgot why any of it matters. It’s not that the house is haunted; it’s that the house feels abandoned.
Anees Bazmee’s third entry in the franchise (following the 2007 original and 2022’s sequel) lands in theaters with all the subtlety of a drumroll. The film is set in Kolkata, or at least a version of Kolkata that exists in the Bollywood imagination—one where Bengali culture is reduced to caricatured accents and a few token references to fish curry. The haveli at the center of the story is grand, ornate, and, of course, haunted by the spirit of Manjulika, the franchise’s resident ghost with a flair for the dramatic.
But the real question isn’t whether the house is haunted; it’s whether the film itself is.
The answer, unfortunately, is a resounding maybe. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is a film that wants to have its cake and eat it too—it wants to be a horror movie, a comedy, a mystery, and a star vehicle all at once. The problem isn’t the ambition; it’s the execution. The script, penned by Aakash Kaushik, is a disjointed affair, lurching from slapstick gags to half-hearted scares with all the grace of a drunk uncle at a wedding.
Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express called it "lazy" and "formulaic," and it’s hard to disagree. The film relies on stereotypes instead of characters, and the result is a cast of performers who seem to be operating in different movies entirely.
Take Kartik Aaryan’s Rooh Baba, the franchise’s resident exorcist-cum-fraudster. Aaryan is a charismatic presence, and his comedic timing is sharp, but the film never gives him a moment to breathe. He’s either cracking jokes, running from ghosts, or delivering exposition like a tour guide who’s lost his script.
Audience Opinions
Audience 5.4/10
"A chaotic mix of comedy and horror that struggles to balance its tone, relying heavily on Kartik Aaryan’s antics to keep it afloat."
Viewers appreciate the return of familiar faces and the film’s attempt to blend humor with supernatural elements, but many find the execution uneven. The comedy often overshadows the horror, leaving the scares feeling underwhelming. Some enjoy the lighthearted fun, latestnetflix.com argues, while others feel the plot is too convoluted and lacks the charm of the original.
What viewers praise
- Kartik Aaryan’s performance His energetic and comedic portrayal of Ruhaan is a standout, providing much of the film’s entertainment value.
- Star-studded cast The presence of Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and other veterans adds a layer of nostalgia and star power.
- Entertaining moments Some scenes deliver genuine laughs and keep the film engaging despite its flaws.
Common complaints
- Weak horror elements The supernatural aspects feel overshadowed by comedy, leaving the horror underdeveloped and unconvincing.
- Overly convoluted plot The story struggles with pacing and coherence, making it hard to follow at times.
- Uneven tone The balance between comedy and horror is off, leading to a disjointed viewing experience.
- Lacks originality Many feel the film doesn’t bring enough fresh ideas to the franchise, relying too much on past successes.
Recommended for
Fans of Kartik Aaryan’s comedy Light horror-comedy lovers Nostalgia seekers for the franchise
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBhool Bhulaiyaa 3: The Return of Rooh Baba and a Star-Studded Horror-Comedy Spectacle
The Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise is back with a bang, and this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and packed with more star power than ever. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024), directed by Anees Bazmee, promises to be one of the most anticipated films of the year, blending horror, comedy, and a cast that reads like a Bollywood dream team. With Kartik Aaryan reprising his role as Rooh Baba and Vidya Balan returning as the iconic Manjulika, the film is set to hit theaters this Diwali, latestnetflix.com maintains, and the hype is already electric.
A Franchise Built on Chaos and Comedy
The Bhool Bhulaiyaa series has always thrived on its unique mix of supernatural scares and laugh-out-loud humor, and the third installment looks no different. According to IMDb, the plot follows Ruhaan, a fraudster posing as an exorcist, who takes on a lucrative case at a haunted castle. What unfolds is a sinister web of mischievous priests, eerie secrets, and a climax that’s equal parts hilarious and horrifying 
. The film serves as the third entry in the franchise, which originally drew inspiration from the Malayalam classic Manichitrathazhu 
.
Anees Bazmee, known for his knack for comedy (No Entry, Welcome), is at the helm once again, ensuring that the film stays true to the franchise’s signature style. With a script by Aakash Kaushik, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is produced by T-Series Films and Cine1 Studios, the same powerhouse behind the previous two hits .
A Star-Studded Cast Returns—With New Faces
The biggest draw of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is its ensemble cast, which brings back fan favorites while introducing fresh talent. Kartik Aaryan is back as Rooh Baba, the charismatic exorcist with a knack for getting into trouble. Vidya Balan returns as Manjulika, the vengeful spirit who became a cultural icon after the first film. Their chemistry was a highlight of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, and fans are eager to see how their dynamic evolves this time around .
But the surprises don’t end there. Madhuri Dixit, one of Bollywood’s most beloved actresses, joins the cast, adding a layer of glamour and intrigue. Triptii Dimri, who has been making waves with her performances in Animal and Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam, is also part of the lineup, marking her first foray into the horror-comedy genre . The supporting cast includes seasoned actors like Vijay Raaz, Rajpal Yadav, Sanjay Mishra, Ashwini Kalsekar, Rajesh Sharma, and Kanchan Mullick, ensuring that every scene is packed with talent .
What to Expect: Horror, Laughs, and a Diwali Blockbuster
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is touted to be one of the biggest films of 2024, and the timing couldn’t be better. Slated for a Diwali release, the film is expected to dominate the box office, much like its predecessors. The first Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) was a massive hit, and the sequel (2022) proved that the franchise still had plenty of life left in it. With this third installment, Bazmee and the team are aiming to push the boundaries of the genre, blending supernatural elements with razor-sharp comedy .
While details about the plot remain under wraps, the snippets suggest a story filled with twists, turns, and plenty of jump scares. Given Bazmee’s track record, audiences can expect a film that’s as much about laughter as it is about chills. The addition of Madhuri Dixit and Triptii Dimri also hints at new subplots, possibly introducing fresh characters that could expand the Bhool Bhulaiyaa universe .
The Verdict: Hype or Hit?
With a star-studded cast, a proven director, and a franchise that’s already a household name, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 has all the ingredients for a blockbuster. The Diwali release ensures maximum visibility, and the mix of horror and comedy is a formula that’s worked before. However, the real test will be whether the film can live up to the legacy of its predecessors while carving out its own identity.
For now, fans are counting down the days until they can step back into the labyrinth of Bhool Bhulaiyaa—this time, with even more scares, laughs, and star power.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.