‘Bhooth Bangla’ Review: Haunted by Banality’s Curse

The London-based siblings Arjun and Meera inherit an old mansion in India after their grandfather dies. Meera plans to use the property for her wedding, so Arjun travels to the estate.

Plot outline

Arjun arrives with wedding planner Jagdish and Jagdish’s nephew, Balli. The estate manager, Shambhu, warns of an ancient curse linked to a bat-like demon named Vadhasur.

Local lore says the creature abducts newly married women and takes them into the nearby forest. Strange bat-shaped shadows appear on the walls at night.

Cast and characters

• Akshay Kumar as Arjun, the restless sibling who handles most of the film’s manic energy.
• Mithila Palkar as Meera, the heir and bride-to-be.
• Paresh Rawal as Jagdish, the rough-edged wedding planner.
• Rajpal Yadav as Balli, Jagdish’s beleaguered nephew.
• Asrani as Shambhu, the estate manager who speaks of the curse.
• Wamiqa Gabbi as Priya, Arjun’s romantic interest.
• Jisshu Sengupta as Arjun’s father, a character notable for his youthful appearance despite white hair.
• Tabu appears in a flashback sequence linked to past events.

Creative team and release

The film is directed by Priyadarshan. The story credit goes to Aakash Kaushik.

Screenplay credits include Priyadarshan, Rohan Shankar and Abilash Nair. The Hindi film was released in 2026.

Style, influences and problems

The movie borrows familiar tropes from Dracula and Indian classics like Manichithrathazhu. It also echoes Priyadarshan’s earlier Bhool Bhulaiyaa remake and its later sequels.

Several elements feel recycled: a forbidden room, past revenge, and a revealing flashback. The film often leans on established beats rather than fresh ideas.

Technical notes

Camera work sometimes favors odd, low angles that create disorienting shots. Scenes can feel jumpy and loosely connected.

A visit to a priest provides intermittent structure. Still, the narrative rarely explains why the bat-like creature targets these characters.

Performances

The cast shows strong commitment despite the material’s flaws. Akshay Kumar delivers energetic, often manic work and gets many of the film’s better lines.

Rajpal Yadav endures repeated humiliation for comic effect. Paresh Rawal provides grounded comic instincts, even when scenes veer into slapstick.

Overall assessment

This Bhooth Bangla review finds moments of fun and a few genuine laughs. However, the film often feels haunted by banality rather than true dread.

Priyadarshan’s direction appears hurried at times, and the story depends heavily on past formulas. Filmogaz.com notes that strong performances cannot fully mask the movie’s derivative nature.