Watching the latest flick 'Bhool Bhulaiya' is an experience that showcases the future of Indian as well Hindi Cinema. A new trend where a heroine need not necessarily romance with the lead hero has recently been established in 'Chak De India'. But if you see 'Bhool Bhulaiya' and analyze the character that Akshay Kumar plays, you will be surprised to know that this theme is not alien to our desi flick. In fact, the story of a psychiatrist helping a friend who has just returned from abroad and is haunted by ghost was first made way back in 1993.
It was a Malayalam film 'Manichitrathazhu' by director Fazil. Later, director P Vasu remade this film two times - once in Kannada as 'Aaptamitra' and later with Rajnikant in Telugu as 'Chandramukhi'. 'Bhool Bhulaiya' is neither a comedy nor a horror film. Director Priyadarshan has tried his hands in a different genre. Those who have followed Priyadarshan's career in Hindi Cinema since his first film 'Muskurahat' will vouch for this ace technician that he isn't just a comedy film maker. Take a look at his films like 'Virasat', 'Gardish', 'Kala Pani' and 'Doli Saja Ke Rakhna', and you will conclude that he is a versatile film maker.
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Pridarshan's latest offing 'Bhool Bhulaiya' is a much awaited film. This is released along with the Yashraj's 'Laga Chunri Mien Daag' and if opening has any indication then Priyan has taken the lead over Pradeep Sarkar (director of 'LCMD') from Day One. The theater was full to capacity and the viewers enjoyed watching it. First, Priyan makes hero Siddharth (Shiney Ahuja) arrive at his ancestral palace which was abandoned by his predecessors.
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The latter thought that the palace was haunted by a soul. Incidentally, his great grandfather who was a king had been killed by a dancer whose lover was killed by the king. The dancer wants to take revenge and would kill anyone who wishes to bring the charm of the palace back. Siddharth is married to Avni (Vidya Balan) but she doesn't believe in all these spooky things. She would roam around in the palace some time all alone and some time with her sister-in-law (Nandini). All is well until one day Avni breaks the lock of the most dreaded floor in the palace. The seniors in the family fear that the hell will break loose on them . When uncommon things happen, they try to run for shelter. Seniors call for a famous Purohit (Vikram Gokhale) while Siddharth calls for his friend, a famous psychiatrist, Aditya (Akshay Kumar). The film starts as a family entertainer, switches to horror mode, treads on the rationalist path during the post-interval but deviates to a thriller before ending on a happy note .
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'Bhool Bhulaiya' is neither a typical masala film nor a comedy that the viewers expect from Priyadarshan. Priyan is capable of delivering more than what he has done so far . Peep into his filmi career to find jewels of cinema in his box. He is trying to bring back the same cinema to his basics but this depends on the fate of 'Bhool Bhulaiya'. 'Bhool Bhulaiya' is one step forward for Piryan in his career. He presents his best buddy Akshay Kumar in a role that is introduced in the film just before the interval. And, Akshay is so convinced about his character that he doesn't even hesitate to deliver longer dialogues to explain the case before the royal family. Except this scene that goes on and on, the film is a perfect product for the weekend entertainment.
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Priyadarshan bundles many surprises in this film. Not only he keeps the suspense of the film intact until the last reel but also makes viewers think and rethink on their character. The film has a story that requires some very brilliant acting by its team. And, this time it's not Akshay Kumar or Paresh Rawal or Rajpal Yadav who walks away with all the acclaim but it's Vidya Balan who surprises each and every one in the cinema hall.
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Her character changes like a chameleon in the film and what a superb performance she has given ! His mentor Pradeep Sarkar must be scratching his head as to why he did not sign her in 'Laga Chunri Mien Daag' . Vidya Balan is revelation for many in this film, especially in climax. The classical dance performance in the darbar and then the killing of Shiney Ahuja requires the guts to do this kind of role and Vidya has got ten out of ten narks. She balances the game between herself and Akshay Kumar . If Akshay walks out with all the credits in 'Heyy Babyy', then this is the turn of this Malayali girl.
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The film is also very well supported by Vikram Gokhale, Paresh Rawal, Amisha Patel and Rajpal Yadav. Manoj Joshi goes hyper in some scenes but Rasika Joshi and Vineet leave their impressions. The scene with Rasika and Akshay shown in parallel bathrooms is quite hilarious. The film has some very beautiful and exotic locations to boast of and the music has given it the much needed hype and equally good houseful start. Not a bad film to spend the weekend over? Did some one say the story idea matches with the Hollywood flick 'Mummy'? Maybe, but not as a whole, though . Isn't it?
