“Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3,” released on November 1, 2024, directed by Anees Bazmee and produced by T-Series Films and Cine1 Studios, arrived as the third installment in the beloved horror-comedy franchise, following the iconic 2007 original and the 2022 hit sequel. Starring Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and Triptii Dimri, the film is an average outing—neither a standout nor a disaster, coasting on star power and a late twist rather than cohesive storytelling or genuine scares.

Set in the fictional Rakhtghat, the plot follows Ruhaan, aka Rooh Baba (Aaryan), a conman posing as a ghostbuster, hired by Meera (Dimri) and her cash-strapped royal family to exorcise their haunted palace, supposedly terrorized by Manjulika. Vidya Balan reprises her iconic role from the original, joined by Madhuri Dixit as a rival spirit—or so it seems—leading to a tangle of deception and supernatural shenanigans. The twist? Two Manjulikas vie for dominance, culminating in a climax that aims to shock but feels more convoluted than clever.

The film starts with a familiar rhythm: Aaryan’s Rooh Baba is a cheeky charlatan, and the palace’s eerie vibe teases a spooky ride. The first half leans heavily on Bazmee’s comedy roots—think “Welcome” or “No Entry”—with Rajpal Yadav and Sanjay Mishra tossing out quips, though the humor lacks the punch of “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2.” The horror, a franchise staple, is tame; jump scares are telegraphed, and the ghostly CGI feels dated despite Red Chillies’ VFX pedigree. The much-hyped “Ami Je Tomar” dance-off between Balan and Dixit is a visual treat—Balan’s Bharatnatyam-Odissi blend meets Dixit’s Kathak grace—but it’s a jarring detour, more spectacle than story.

Aaryan anchors the chaos with charm, his comic timing solid if not groundbreaking, peaking in the emotional finale. Balan brings gravitas to Manjulika, though her screentime feels rationed, while Dixit’s elegance adds flair but little depth. Dimri’s Meera is underwritten—pretty but peripheral—leaving the ensemble (Yadav, Mishra, Ashwini Kalsekar) to carry comedic weight with middling lines. The production shines with Manu Anand’s moody cinematography and lavish sets, but Tanishk Bagchi’s soundtrack—barring the “Ami Je Tomar” reprise—fades into noise.

Where “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” stumbles is its pacing and ambition. The 158-minute runtime drags in the middle, bogged down by too many songs and a script (Aakash Kaushik) that juggles comedy, horror, and a social message about inclusivity without mastering any. The climax twist—praised by some as “unpredictable”—feels forced, unraveling a knotty plot that doesn’t fully reward the buildup.

The movie banks on franchise goodwill and a late surge of drama to mask its flaws—weak laughs, tame scares, and a bloated middle. It’s watchable, sure, but lacks the spark of the original or the freshness of its predecessor. For fans, it’s a passable detour; for others, it’s skippable labyrinth lite.

Rating: 3/5

An okay maze of nostalgia and noise— “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” gets by, but don’t expect to get lost in it.