Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 tries to channel the spirit of its predecessors but ends up wandering down a winding path filled with missed opportunities and cringe-worthy moments. Imagine a horror-comedy that forgot its script in the fridge-chilly, stale, and way past its expiration date.

First off, let's talk about the screenplay. It seems like the writers took a few notes from the "How to Stretch a Plot" handbook, adding unnecessary subplots that make you question if you accidentally walked into a different movie. Just when you think the main story might kick in, we're sidetracked by distractions that even the characters seem to forget about. The humor, intended to be the film's saving grace, often feels forced, like a dad joke at a family gathering. "Is this supposed to be funny?" becomes the unifying sentiment of the audience, as we collectively shake our heads in disbelief.

Character development? More like character neglect. With one-dimensional roles that would barely pass for cardboard cutouts, it's hard to find any reason to root for these characters. They stumble through the plot like they're lost in a haunted house, searching for the exit but only finding poorly written dialogues. When the most compelling character is the ghost that could have at least livened things up, you know you're in trouble.

Now let's address the pacing. It feels like the film is auditioning for a marathon, dragging certain scenes out to the point where you wonder if you've accidentally entered a time warp. And just when you think a comedic moment might land, it crashes harder than a poorly timed joke at a funeral. The tonal shifts are about as smooth as a brick wall, leaving the audience in a constant state of confusion. Are we laughing? Crying? Are we even watching the same film?

The so-called comedic trio of Rajpal Yadav, Sanjay Mishra, and Ashwini Kalsekar adds to the chaos with their brand of slapstick nonsense that feels less like comic relief and more like a desperate attempt to fill airtime. Their antics are about as funny as stepping on a LEGO-painful and utterly bewildering. Yadav's trademark silliness seems out of place, often turning potentially clever setups into cringe-fests that would make even a seasoned comedian wince. Meanwhile, Mishra's over-the-top expressions and Kalsekar's attempts at physical comedy frequently miss the mark, leaving us with the feeling that we've signed up for a clown convention instead of a horror-comedy film.

Visually, the film has its moments, but many scenes feel like a retread of every horror trope in the book. The predictable scares are like seeing your old high school crush at a reunion-familiar, but ultimately disappointing. When the special effects look like they belong in a low-budget web series, you can't help but wonder if they ran out of budget before they could afford some originality.

In conclusion, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is a sequel that stumbles along with a misplaced sense of direction. It's like a party where the snacks are stale, the music is off-key, and the host forgot to invite anyone. If you're looking for a film that captures the charm and wit of the earlier entries, you might want to reconsider your options. Otherwise, grab some popcorn, settle in, and prepare for a cinematic experience that'll leave you scratching your head and wondering what just happened.

(With Special Thanks to Mr. Vishal Madan (GM, Cinepolis)