Mumbai: The first review of ‘Bhooth Bangla’, set to hit theatres on Friday, has praised its seamless blend of humour and horror, along with Akshay Kumar’s impressive comic timing.
Directed by Priyadarshan, the horror-comedy marks the director and actor’s reunion after 14 years.
Trade analyst and critic Taran Adarsh, who took to social media to share his thoughts, lauded the director and lead actor.
In his 3.5-star review, he described ‘Bhooth Bangla’ as “an entertainer that works for most parts.”
“The Akshay Kumar – Priyadarshan combo doesn’t disappoint – the chills and chuckles are in equal measure. The humour works, although a few sequences may come across as slightly naughty. It’s the eerie atmosphere that forms the backbone, while the attention-grabbing VFX enhances the film’s visual appeal. Priyadarshan, known for his impeccable comic timing, ensures the narrative remains engaging, although [i] the writing could’ve been sharper and [ii] the runtime could’ve been tighter,” the critic wrote.
During its promotions, ‘Bhooth Bangla’ was often compared to ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, another Priyadarshan directorial that starred Akshay.
Agreeing that the two films do share certain similarities, Adarsh opined: “The backstory in the second half evokes memories of Bhool Bhulaiyaa… However, the onscreen presentation could have been simpler. To his credit, the veteran storyteller keeps you hooked, springing surprises at regular intervals – with the interval twist delivering a major, unexpected jolt.”
“Akshay Kumar is in top form. His comic timing, expressions, and effortless switch between fear and humour are a delight to watch. Tabu is effective, although an actress of her calibre deserved more power-packed moments. Wamiqa Gabbi barely gets any scope. Ditto for Mithila Palkar, who has limited screen time,” he added.
“It’s Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav who deliver several laugh-out-loud moments – both excel. The late Asrani leaves a mark,” the critic wrote while praising the comedy veterans in the film.
Calling the soundtrack a ‘mixed bag’, the review concluded, “Worth a watch for its genuinely funny moments and a fair share of eerie chills.”