Akshay Kumar's Laughter Reunion Falls Short of Expectations

Bhooth Bangla review: Akshay Kumar excels with his comedy, but Priyadarshan gets carried away with his large world-building. | Bollywood

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Bhooth Bangla, the latest horror-comedy starring Akshay Kumar, has been released. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film brings back memories of their cult classic Bhagam Bhaag. However, the story feels a tad too familiar, being a mix of previous films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Shaitaan, and Stree.

The film revolves around Arjun (Akshay), who travels to Mangalpur to set up his sister's palace for her upcoming wedding. However, the village has a dark history of a bride-stealing spirit named Vadhusur. The story unfolds from there.

With a talented cast, including Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rajpal Yadav, the film has its moments of laughter and scares. However, the second half gets heavy on the story and suffers from poor editing and a runtime that could have been trimmed. The music by Pritam is average, but the background score by Ronnie Raphael is impressive.

Akshay Kumar delivers a sincere performance, showcasing his natural knack for comedy. Asrani shines in his last big-screen appearance, while Rajpal Yadav brings his signature physical comedy. Wamiqa Gabbi and Tabu, however, have limited screen time.

Bhooth Bangla may not be Priyadarshan at his peak, but it's still an entertaining film that leans on nostalgia. Powered by Akshay Kumar's reliable comic timing, the film keeps the fun going while it lasts.