Bou Buttu Bhuta

Bou Buttu Bhuta is a refreshing experiment in Odia cinema, blending comedy and horror with a touch of rural black magic folklore. It's a bold move for Ollywood and thankfully, it works well for the most part.

The first half is a riot, funny, eerie, and packed with moments that genuinely entertain. It brings back memories of Bollywood films like Stree and Bhediya but with a rooted Odia twist. Babushaan delivers a solid performance and Aparajita is equally impressive, handling both the spooky and the silly with ease.

The second half, however, doesn't quite match the energy of the first. A song placed right after the interval slows things down and feels unnecessary. Still, credit where it's due, the story, theme, and setting are refreshing for Ollywood standards.

Bou Buttu Bhuta is a nice movie overall. It's not perfect but it's a good try and a welcome change. Hats off to Babushaan for bringing such new stories to the big screen and pushing Ollywood in an exciting direction.

A packed theatre on a Friday the 13th night in Bengaluru screening the Oriya film "Bou Buttu Bhuta" is nothing short of a 'wow' moment.

The hope for a truly great Oriya film has often ended in disappointment, leaving movie lovers feeling overshadowed by other regional industries. In conversations about cinema, Oriya voices have often had little to contribute. Now, with this film, Ollywood isn't just whispering-it's beginning to roar.

No Spoilers - Just a Few Highlights from the Buzz in Ollywood

Story Telling - One of the standout reasons Bou Buttu Bhuta resonates so deeply with audiences is its storytelling. Great cinema always begins with a compelling narrative, and this film delivers, thanks to the brilliance of Jagadish Mishra. A true maverick in Ollywood, Mishra steps outside the conventional box while still staying rooted in what defines an Oriya film. Complementing this vision is Mohammad Imran's exceptional screenplay, which adds depth and nuance to the narrative.

He masterfully weaves in elements that are quintessentially Odia- folklore, spirit, family disputes, khati (casual hangouts), puja chanda (festival donations), and even mutton-which, interestingly, might serve as a metaphor. These cultural touchpoints aren't just background-they're the soul of the story, making it both authentic and relatable. Cinematographer Rudrakanta Singh deserves special credit for beautifully capturing the natural essence of Odisha, bringing its landscapes to life with remarkable authenticity.

Character Building - A Refreshing Surprise

One of the most delightful surprises in Bou Buttu Bhuta is its character development. For the first time in a long while, the characters feel genuinely believable and engaging. Within just 30 minutes, the audience finds themselves emotionally invested-rooting for Babushan or Aparajita Maam to succeed.

Whether it's hoping they catch more fish in their metaphorical pond, triumph over a cunning cousin, win a complicated love, or simply escape a chaotic crowd despite his own wrong doing-the characters evoke real empathy. The director succeeds brilliantly here, crafting a fictional world so compelling that viewers are not just watching-they're cheering, feeling, and living every moment of "Bou Buttu Bhuta".

Runtime & Pacing - A Bold Choice That Pays Off

At 2 hours and 56 minutes, Bou Buttu Bhuta may seem lengthy by today's standards, and some might argue that trimming 20-25 minutes could have made it tighter. But I respectfully disagree. The film holds your attention throughout-every scene feels purposeful, and there's hardly a dull moment.

While some may have expected more of Babushan's eccentric flair, the director chose a more subtle portrayal, aligning with the film's thriller tone rather than leaning into horror. It's a creative decision that adds depth and keeps the suspense alive, proving that sometimes restraint can be more powerful than excess.

Background Score - A Rare Treat in Ollywood

The background music by Rudranarayan Malik in Bou Buttu Bhuta stands out as a refreshing change for Ollywood, where such attention to sound design is not always the norm. While the score leans a bit loud at times, it effectively elevates the emotion and intensity of nearly every scene-hitting the mark about 95% of the time.

It's a bold and welcome move that adds cinematic depth, proving that sound can be just as powerful as visuals in storytelling.

Performances - A Stellar Ensemble

Bou (Aparajita Maam): A class act as always, Aparajita delivers a performance that's both powerful and unexpected. Known for her charm and grace, seeing her portray an exorcist adds a shock value-and she absolutely exceeds expectations. The role gave her ample scope to showcase her range, and she made every moment count.

Buttu (Babushan): Babushan brings a natural ease to the screen. His restrained performance aligns perfectly with the script's demands, proving once again that subtlety can be just as impactful as intensity.

Bhuta: The portrayal of Bhuta deserves special mention. The character's eccentricities are thrilling, chilling, and downright haunting. Words fall short in capturing the sheer skill and presence brought to this role-it's a performance that lingers long after the credits roll.

It's also refreshing to see new faces-especially Mandakini Jena-(hauntingly powerful performance), breaking the monotony of recycled talent and adding a fresh layer of authenticity to the film.

And Finally - Jagadish Mishra, Take a Bow

Jagadish Mishra has truly redefined the filmmaking landscape of Ollywood. With Bou Buttu Bhuta, he breaks away from the clichés-no longer is the Odisha is confined to dhoti-clad villagers and Jaga. Instead, we see characters who speak naturally, live authentically, and reflect the evolving spirit of Odisha.

The closest parallel I can draw is Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai-a film that marked a turning point in Bollywood. Similarly, Bou Buttu Bhuta feels like a stepping stone to a new era in Odia cinema-one that speaks to the heart of the Odia audience and promises much more to come.

As a cinephilic Odia, this is the film I had been waiting for! This is a milestone! If you know even the basics of filmmaking, you'd understand that this is something the Odia industry has never produced before. Congratulations and thank you to the entire cast and crew for even attempting to make this film!

All the lead and supporting actors have been well cast and well written-except for Archita. She was, in my opinion, the weakest link in the film. Any newcomer might have done a better job than her.

The score, the songs, the sound design, the stills, the drone shots, the aerial views, the chilling edits-every department has clearly given its best. Hats off to Mr. Jagadish Mishra and Mr. Babushan for that!

The opening scene is the best part of the film for me-one of the best-directed scenes in Odia cinema to date! I was hoping the film would maintain that level throughout, and it absolutely did. It exceeded all my expectations.

I just wish the climax had been worked on a bit more-it felt somewhat underwhelming and amateurishly written. Also, I would've loved to see more of Udit Guru's character after he learns the truth about Buttu.

That said, I'm so happy today that I don't want to dwell on the flaws. Thank you to the entire team for this film. The Odia film industry and the cinephiles of Odisha will always be grateful to you.

I understand that the general audience might criticize the story, but what you've achieved is truly remarkable-I hope the team knows that.

And just to reiterate: compared to this, Karma felt like a huge letdown for the Odia industry. This film is in a completely different league.

This Odia horror-thriller brings something fresh and thrilling to the industry. It's not just another Babushan film - in fact, it goes beyond Aparajita's presence, though she delivers yet another powerful performance. Despite her age, Aparajita's acting feels remarkably fresh and layered.

The entire cast shows impressive acting skills, proving that the film isn't carried by one or two stars but by collective talent. The screenplay is gripping, with a steady build-up of suspense, and the cinematography adds depth to the eerie atmosphere without relying on clichés.

What makes this film stand out is its smart storytelling and visual treatment - a rare combination in Odia cinema. It's a relief to see Babushan choosing different, meaningful scripts.

Overall, the film is a welcome step forward for the industry, proving that Odia cinema is ready to explore bold themes with both style and substance.

The movie is a typical horror story that every Odia heard from their grand mother/father. Odia re kahile "Aai maa kahani" . Fabulous acting, superb direction and well written. The climax that build and expression of emotion at the same time, it literally awesome. All Actors has done the finest acting. This is my first time that I am giving review and the reason is the way for presenting story. Whatever I will say that is not enough to describe the greatness of the movie. Keep going and growing Odia Industry. So that we will make our national and International position everywhere.

#MustWatch # Inspiration # GreatActing.