Balan and Dixit shine, but weak writing and a slow start hold this horror-comedy back.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
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Critic consensus
Critical reception for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is mixed, with most reviewers acknowledging it as a passable Diwali entertainer that improves significantly in its latter half. The performances of Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit are the most consistently highlighted strength, with several critics noting that the film genuinely comes alive when the two share the screen. Common criticisms include a sluggish, meandering first half, formulaic and forced humor, predictable jump scares, and lazy writing that stretches the runtime beyond the material's potential. A well-executed climax twist is frequently cited as a saving grace that partially redeems the uneven build-up.
4 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 16 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
There is something intrinsically and inevitably amusing in even the most frightening of ghost stories if the anything-goes on-screen antics of spectral apparitions are taken in the right spirit. That explains why horror-comedies usually have a such a committed constituency. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, for all its flaws, is unlikely to face a dearth of takers this Diwali weekend.
Top critic
Film review
This third-go-round suffers from the same things that the previous one did: stereotypes instead of characters, forced humour which refuses to land, and tasteless lines bordering on the risible. The scourge of lazy, formulaic writing weighs heavily on this film.
Film review
BHOOL BHULAIYAA works due to its performances, script, execution and unpredictable climax
Film review
This Bhool Bhulaiyaa is a-'maze'-ing in many ways! It is a no-holds-barred, unapologetically whacky, loopy laughathon well-blended with the horror element, that commands a lot of screwball fun and paisa-vasool manoranjan.
Film review ·
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is a Diwali rocket of mystery and deception that keeps audiences engaged with its blend of horror, humor, and compelling performances from Kartik Aaryan and Vidya Balan.
Film review
BB3 has its share of highs and lows but it delivers what you expect from a Diwali family entertainer. Make sure you guard the climax for others to enjoy the film, too.
Film review ·
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 review: Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit starrer makes for a fun family watch this Diwali. With a blend of humour, nostalgia, and spooky twists, it's an entertaining ride.
Film review ·
The film retains some traditional horror elements while still trying to be comedic. It ends up delivering neither with much grace nor gusto.
Film review ·
Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit's horror-comedy is innocuous fun
Film review
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 starts out a bit doddery, saves the better bits for last, with a tedious amount of trashy comic cliches and soapy drama aesthetics tossed in before the film finally kicks off when Madhuri and Vidya arrive to engage in a gleefully hammy tug of war that anchors the franchise's entire point.
Film review ·
The Vidya Balan-Madhuri Dixit combo is a hit, and Kartik Aaryan's starrer is a Diwali cracker!
Film review ·
Although the plot of the movie revolves around betrayal, a fight for the throne, and unexplained flashbacks, the mediocre jokes and predictable jump scares make it a rather dull watch. Overall, if not for Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit Nene, the film would have been just a one-time watch.
Film review ·
For two solid hours, the horror-comedy meanders its way through with a gag here and a jump scare there, making Kartik Aaryan sleepwalk and the other veteran actors ham. Then, the climax turns the tables, giving Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan room to show why they are what they are, and even Kartik has some room to perform finally.
Film review ·
The dynamic between Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan is an opportunity wasted in the long film, which is high on concept but low on mood.
Film review ·
Imagination is largely in short supply in the threequel, which has been written by Prakash Kaushik. Except for a twist about Manjulika's identity that works well, the film has little that we haven't seen before in the previous movie.
Film review ·
The third installment of the popular franchise that sparked interest in big-budget horror comedy in Bollywood seems to have been put together in a rush to cash in on the success of the second part. At 158 minutes, here the maze of mirth has been stretched beyond its potential, and subversive elements, the hallmark of a horror comedy, don't gel organically with the storyline.
Credits
Kartik AaryanRuhaan Randhawa / Rooh Baba
Vidya BalanMallika / Manjulika
Madhuri DixitMandira / Anjulika
Triptii DimriMeera
Vijay RaazRaja Sahib
Rajpal YadavChhota Pandit
Sanjay MishraBade Pandit
Ashwini KalsekarPanditayeen
Rajesh SharmaMeera's Uncle
Kanchan MullickAngrakshak, King's bodyguard
Shataf FigarVicky Khanna
Manish WadhwaRajpurohit
Denzil SmithMaharaj in 1824
Rose SardanaMeera’s SisterHindi films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
SeriesBhool Bhulaiyaa
2007
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