To begin with, the "Priyan- Akki" combination works again For those, who are watching this story for the first time and ofcourse those who have watched the south Indian versions as well, **Bhool Bhulaiya turns out to be engaging fare.
A little background info.
The original Malayalam film "Manichithrathazhu", **was made more than a decade back, in 1993 starring MohanLal, Shobhana and Suresh Gopi. Shobhana won the national award for the best actress.
Impressed by the novel storyline, Kannada movie producer Dwarkish, came up with Aaptamitra in 2004. Made with a modest budget. The movie clicked mainly becoz of lead performances by - Vishnuvardhan, Ramesh Aravind and Soundarya. This was one of Soundarya’s last films before her untimely death. Her portrayal was so powerful and brilliant, that it deservedly got her the State award.
It is rumored that, Rajanikant saw Aaptamitra and was impressed by the original concept. The story was reborn in Tamil as "Chandramukhi", in 2005. With amazing budget, extravagant production values and above all Rajni’s presence, Chandramukhi was a roaring success.
*Cut to 2007.
So now we have the Bollywood version of "Manichithrathazhu", as Bhool Bhulaiya. Made by none other than Priyadarshan, who has time and again, recycled Malayalam and other south Indian movies(mainly comedies).
Priyan has sensibly blended humor and horror in BB. Bhool Bhulaiya is very much engaging, as well as entertaining. It does not end up as a "Black-Patch" on the original and the other successful versions.
*Plot:-
The story is about a couple Siddharth and Avni(Shiney and Vidya Balan). They both meet in US, fall in love and get married. Siddharth gets a contract for a Dam in India. They come to India, to their hometown, where Siddharth’s Royal and huge family stays.Siddharth’s relatives consist of BatukShankar(paresh Rawal), Batuk’s wife Janaki(Rasika Joshi), Nandini(siddharth’s cousin) etc. His parents are no more, hence the head of the family is his Uncle, Badrinarayan Chaturvedi(Manoj Joshi). Badri had always thought of marrying Radha(Amisha Patel), whom he had adopted, to Siddharth. And even Radha always dreamt of being married to Siddharth. But once Siddharth returns from US, married to Avni, the family half-heartedly accepts Siddharth’s decision and Radha feels upset.
On his return, Siddharth decides to stay in the palatial mansion that belongs to his family, and where no one stays now. His uncle Badri warns him and says that there is a problem with some spirits in that mansion and it will not be safe to stay there. Siddharth(backed by Avni) insists that he will stay there no matter and moreover he does not believe in ghosts/spirits.Finally Badri has to bow fown to Siddharth’s demand. Siddharth is crowned as the new king(an old tradition) and he moves to the Mansion with Avni.
Avni discovers a room, on the third floor, which is sealed and has been put a huge lock. Avni with the help of Nandini gets a duplicate key made for the Lock and opens the room.She not only opens the room, but a way out for whole lot of problems and thus **begins a thrilling, dangerous and mysterious experience for the whole family.
At first, Siddharth dismisses the wierd incidents in the mansion as someone’s prank, but when things go out of hands, he summons his best friend and Psychiatrist **Aditya(Akshay Kumar). Siddharth thinks Radha is after the strange incidents and needs a psychiatrist.
Aditya may look like a buffoon, always dressed wierdly and nothing about him makes you feel he could be a psychiatrist. But the truth is he is a world renowned Psychiatrist, whose IQ is terrific. His thinking starts where other people have already exhausted their ideas.
Once Aditya starts to explore the mansion. He uncovers some truths, which were already told to him and some which he found shocking himself. Nothing is, what it looks like. **How Aditya solves the mystery and uncovers the shocking truth. How he convinces Siddharth abouth what he has discovered and makes him believe, wheteher the myth about the Mansion is true? All this is best seen, than said.
Bhool Bulaiya** is exceptional in more than one way. It combines the story of ghosts/spirits, a haunted mansion, assorted characters with amazing conviction. The reasoning given is good.
*Performances: -
Akki, makes a late entry, but definitely compensates for it. His performance is very balanced. He combines his wierd mannerisms and the sensibility very well. All the actors who have played this character in the various versions, have done it in their style and believe me everyone has been unique, add to it Akshay’s performance. He is impressive and first rate.
Shiney almost dominates the first half. He is convincing. He looks very much the character he plays(royal blood). He emotes well.
Vidya - Now here we have one of the weak link of BB. Agree Vidya has done a great job. Her expressions are no doubt good, but the character demanded more.I would say it is an adequate performance from Vidya.
Amisha is good in her brief role.
Manoj Joshi as the disciplinarian, strict head of a family is excellent. He excels in his role and leaves mark.
Paresh rawal aand Rasika Joshi - Though they have very less scenes. Their antics and dialogues will leave you in splits. Especially the ones involving **Paresh and Asrani, Akshay and Rasika(when Akshay enters the mansion, his entry).
Rajpal Yadav and Asrani **in their very brief roles impress and make you laugh.
Vikram Gokhale - In my opinion, another weakly written role. This one could have been better. Still Vikram Gokhale does an OK job.
Music - Pritam comes up with a good score, which suits the film. But why does the "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" come in the end, when credits role? Also one more catchy track "Sajda" has not been used. Of the ones in the film, Labon ko turns out to be melodious and well shot song. The classical track, during climax is also good and Pritam should be lauded to come up with a classical tune.
Direction - Priyan has attempted something different(though not original). He has a firm grip on all characters and sequences. A good job.
Screenplay - By Neeraj Vora, does not much deviate from original and that is good.
Dialogues are catchy, especially the ones by Akki. Good job by **Neeraj and Manisha Korde.
Cinematography is brilliant. **The movie bears a polished look.
There are some minor blemishes(like some of the characters, as I mentioned earlier). Some of the incidents in the film are not explained well.
The climax may look stretched for Bollywood audiences.
die hard Akki fans may not appreciate his late entry.
*My Verdict:-
After a lull period, Bhool Bhulaiya comes like fresh air and lives upto the expectations. Its a wholesome entertainer.**Enjoyable!