A paisa vasool maze of ghosts and gags

What's remarkable is how the Singham Again makers have designed the entry of each character, and how the sequences have been spaced out to do justice to every character that makes their presence felt.

- Prathamesh Jadhav

The third installment in the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise proves that Anees Bazmee hasn't lost his knack for blending humor and horror into a frothy cocktail of entertainment, even if this cocktail sometimes leaves you with a sugar rush and a hangover of disbelief. This film dances unapologetically on the thin line between horror and slapstick, daring you to laugh, shiver, and groan all in one sitting.

At its core, the film is a redemption story, packed with reincarnation, dream sequences, and jump scares, weaving themes of forgiveness and second chances into its whirlwind narrative.

The film opens with a promise: that of mystique and menace. Rakhtgat, a crumbling princely estate in West Bengal, is the perfect gothic backdrop, complete with echoes of Manjulika, the malevolent spirit haunting our nightmares since the franchise's inception. The setup, filled with sinister chants and tantra-mantra, prepares you for a bone-chilling ride. But just when you're bracing for a scare, the narrative swings into a comedy led by Kartik Aaryan's Ruhan, the self-proclaimed Rooh Baba.

Kartik Aaryan, a bona fide crowd-puller, delivers a zany performance that matches his character's eccentric wardrobe. His infectious comedic timing shines, especially when Rooh Baba channels the Raja's late first wife, switching personalities in rapid-fire bursts. It's classic Bollywood masala—scattered brilliance amid illogical but entertaining sequences. Aaryan's energy drives the film, proving he's more than capable of leading this madcap franchise.

Triptii Dimri as Meera is serviceable—her screen presence a notch above bland, but never quite captivating. It's Vidya Balan, returning with grace, who steals the show. As Mallika, the palace restorer with an enigmatic aura, she mesmerizes, reminding us of her spine-tingling brilliance from the original. Watching her embody the role once again feels like a full-circle moment, a nod to nostalgia that hits the right note.