Kartik Aaryan may have established himself as a force to be reckoned with at the box office. So when it was announced that he would be returning to the horror-comedy genre with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, the sequel to his successful 2022 film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, fans were understandably thrilled. However, the excitement turned to disappointment when the much-anticipated trailer was released online.
Despite Kartik’s previous success as Rooh Baba, he is now facing criticism for what many are calling ‘cringe overacting'. Even the return of Vidya Balan as Monjulika, a character beloved from the original Bhool Bhulaiyaa, failed to resonate with the audience.
The dual Monjulikas and new faces
The film introduces not one but two Monjulikas — Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit. They recreate the iconic Dola Re Dola dance sequence from the 2002 film Devdas, though the reason for this inclusion remains unclear. Additionally, Triptii Dimri joins the cast as Kartik’s love interest, donning glamorous lehengas and labeling a co-star as ‘tharki' (pervert).
Mixed reactions from fans and critics
Soon after the trailer's release, social media was flooded with reactions, many of which were far from positive. One disappointed fan tweeted, “Sorry @TheAaryanKartik, I’m a big fan, but this time I think director Anees wants to finish your career. #BhoolBhulaiyaa3 will be a disaster. Overacting by you is cringe.” Another user criticised the trailer, stating, “DISAPPOINTING #BhoolBhulaiyaa3 trailer offered no horror, no comedy, and above all no content. Camerawork, acting, and production design feel more suited for a TV soap than a feature film. Cringe-level overacting by #KartikAaryan. #VidyaBalan’s comedy timing was perfect.”
Comparisons with Stree 2
The trailer has also been compared unfavourably to Stree 2, a blockbuster horror comedy starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao. One netizen remarked, “#BhoolBhulaiyaa3Trailer Worst ????????Cringe Ultra Pro Max. Everyone is overacting and just messing around. It is not even one percent of #Stree2.” Another tweet read, “#BhoolBhulaiyaa3 Trailer: Disappointing. ????????????????Can only hope that the film is not as underwhelming, especially after the gold standard set by #Stree2 that caters to the same genre. Somewhat decent for a standalone film but too poor for a blockbuster franchise! Hoping that the songs and the film come out better.”
Box office clash on Diwali
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is set to hit theaters on Diwali, where it will compete with Rohit Shetty and Ajay Devgn’s highly anticipated Singham Again. The clash of these two major films has sparked debates among moviegoers about which one to watch during the festive season. Will it be Kartik’s horror comedy or Ajay and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s cop drama that captures the audience's attention?
As the release date approaches, the buzz around Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 continues to grow. Whether the film will manage to overcome the initial backlash and win over audiences remains to be seen. For now, all eyes are on Kartik Aaryan and the team to see if they can deliver a horror comedy that lives up to its predecessors and the expectations of fans.
Watch the trailer of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and let us know your thoughts.
