Review: Bhoot Bangla: A Horror-Comedy That Misses the Balance!

Hindi cinema has long enjoyed blending spooky themes with humor, creating an engaging horror-comedy space. Films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Stree have successfully struck that delicate balance, offering both chills and laughs while staying rooted in folklore and relatable storytelling. Bhoot Bangla, the latest addition to this genre, brings together an interesting premise.

Arjun Acharya, played by Akshay Kumar, lives in London with his father Vasudev (Jisshu Sengupta) and sister Meera (Mithila Palkar). When Meera inherits a grand bungalow in Mangalpur, the family decides to host her wedding there. However, the town carries a mysterious past—brides are said to disappear on their wedding day. As preparations begin, a series of unusual incidents unfold, forming the core of the story.

The film reunites Akshay Kumar with director Priyadarshan, raising expectations for a lively entertainer. While the narrative has an intriguing setup, the execution feels uneven at times. The screenplay seems to draw inspiration from familiar elements of the genre but doesn’t always weave them together seamlessly.
Despite a talented ensemble cast including Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, and Asrani, the humor doesn’t consistently land as expected. The second half becomes slightly stretched with multiple developments, which affects the film’s overall pace. Performances by Wamiqa Gabbi and Tabu, though sincere, are limited by shorter screen presence.
While Bhoot Bangla has moments that hint at its potential, it doesn’t fully capitalize on the strengths of the horror-comedy genre.

Today’s audiences look for tightly written narratives and impactful storytelling, and while this film has its merits, it may not entirely meet those expectations.

Rating: **

By Keerti Kadam