‘Bhool Bhulaiya 2’ Review: Worthy Sequel Shines Due To A ‘Spirited’ Tabu, Karthik Aaryan

Bhubaneswar: The raging debate dominating the country on the south film industry’s current pan-India reach is likely to see a disruption now with the masala entertainer Bhool Bhulaiya 2.

Bhool Bhulaiya 2, the sequel to the 2007-starrer Akshay Kumar (a remake of Malaylam film Manichitrathazhu) succeeds quite well establishing itself on own ground while not falling short of pulling the commercial troupes. The most remarkable thing about Anees Bazmee’s entertainer is that it does not resort to any jump scares and creates its own milieu with relatable characters. Writer Akash Kaushik’s narration based in a Rajasthani village sets the stage for ample humour and works amazingly without relying on the plot points from the earlier part.

The strangers, Ruhaan (played by Kaarthik Aaryan) and Reet Thakur (played by Kiara Advani) meet accidentally on a return trip and a misfortune lead them to Reet’s home in Rajasthan to save her sister’s marriage. Reet’s family conducts funeral rites by believing her to be dead while Reet and Ruhaan hustle to their old abandoned house taken by Manjulika (the Bengali witch). Tabu essaying the role of double characters Anjulika and Manjulika (one good and another evil) fills one half of the film with her niceties and motherly love. The actress who plays the witch in the latter part impresses with her spookiness in a vulnerable manner. After Manjulika is let loose by Ruhaan it will lead to achieve its quest and unravel many twists and secrets about its identity.

The film also relies on the trio (Sanjay Mishra, Rajpal Yadav and Ashwini Kalsekar) who are the village pundits (ghostbusters), whose business takes a hit after Karthik Aaryan arrives in the village as Ruh Baba. Rajpal Yadav, borrowed from the earlier instalment that plays Chotte Pandit, never fails to impress. Rajpal’s entry made the audience ecstatic in theatres with many hooting and cheering to his every line.

As a commercial entertainer, the film missed the chemistry between Karthik Aaryan and Kiara Advani. But Bhool Bhulaiya 2 is a good effort by Akash Kaushik and Anees Bazmee in the horror comedy genre which stays afloat despite taking inspirations from commercial troupes. The director, known for his work in “No Entry’’ and “Welcome”, pulls up great novelty in screenplay this time. If you are fan of Kaarthik Aaryan’s earlier work, then this is a must watch.