4 reasons Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 will be a litmus test for the makers

Kartik Aryan-starrer Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which is the second film in the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise, has been pushed for release to May 20, 2022 to avert a clash with SS Rajamouli’s RRR. Earlier, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 was slated for a release on March 25, but to avert a clash and business loss, producers have pushed the release date.

The film was to release on July 31, 2020 but was pushed because of Covid-19 as the shooting was disrupted. 

Mark your calendars! They are all set to re-open the doors of the Haveli?#BhoolBhulaiyaa2 releasing on 20th May 2022! Starring @TheAaryanKartik, @advani_kiara & #Tabu; produced by #BhushanKumar, @MuradKhetani and #KrishanKumar; directed by @BazmeeAnees. pic.twitter.com/pTXrl9YPAD

— T-Series (@TSeries) February 2, 2022

The second installment of Bhool Bhulaiyaa was announced by Bhushan Kumar in August 2019 with Kartik Aryan as the lead actor. The movie also stars Kiara Advani, Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, Paresh Rawal and Sanjay Misra. Ever since then, fans have been eagerly waiting for the movie.

But will the sequel be able to match the standard of Priyadarshan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa, which was a remake of the Malayalam movie Manichitrathazhu (1993)? Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), starring Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan and Shiny Ahuja, was a huge success. It has attained a cult status over time.

We list 4 reasons why it will be challenging for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 to match the first part.

AKHSHAY KUMAR’S CHARISMA

Akshay Kumar stole the show in Bhool Bhulaiyaa. His comic timing, his dialogue delivery, his energy; everything about him in the movie was just perfect. Can't say if he saw the original Malayalam movie, or was the character driven on his own, but his role as Psychiatrist Dr Aditya Srivastava worked well with the fans. The result was that the movie was the sixth highest grosser of 2007.

In Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, it would be a big challenge for Kartik Aaryan to step into the shoes of Akshay Kumar. Though Aaryan has proven his mettle in movies like Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011), its sequel Pyaar ka Punchnama 2, his latest release Dhamaka (2021); still, it would be an uphill task for him to revive the franchise of Bhool Bhulaiyaa.

Kartik moved heavens and earth putting in his best efforts for the role. For instance, Filmfare reported that while shooting a climax scene in August 2021, he reportedly lost his voice. Medical assistance was given to him and he was advised to rest his vocal chords. The climax is said to be a faceoff with Tabu and ghostbuster Aryan, which involves a lot of high-voltage action and drama. 

PRIYADARSHAN VS ANEES BAZMEE

The first part was directed by Priyadarshan, a renowned director known for his comedy movies like Hera Pheri (2000), Dhol (2006), Chup Chup ke (2006), Malamaal Weekly (2005), Billu Barber (2009) and several other movies. While the story of the first part was by Malayali screenwriter Madhu Muttan, who wrote the original Manichitrathazhu (1993), the screenplay was written by Late Neeraj Vora and the direction was by Priyadarshan. And he did complete justice to it.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is directed by Anees Bazmee. While Bazmee is a successful director with movies like Welcome (2007), No Entry (2005), Ready (2011), Singh is King (2008), still there’s a lot to do when you are competing with the work of an ace director like Priyadarshan. 

STORY OF BHOOL BHULAIYAA 2

Writers Farhad Samji and Aakash Kaushik were roped in to write the story of sequel. The duo must have tried writing a ghost story, trying to give it a touch of comedy, something which we have seen come out in Bollywood horror-comedy movies like Stree (2018), Roohi (2021). But we must remember that while Stree took off well, Roohi just fell flat.

And we also did see in Welcome Back (2015), which was a sequel of Welcome (2007), that it was insipid compared to first part. And both the movies were directed by Anees Bazmee. While the first part was written by Anees Bazmi, Praful Parekh and Rajiv Kaul, the second was written by Anees Bazmee. Writing indeed is the backbone of the movie.

So, the writers of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 have a Herculean task to accomplish because when the audience goes in to watch the sequel, they will certainly have memories of Bhool Bhulaiyaa intact. Who knows, many of them might first watch the first part and then go to watch the second.

WILL TABU MATCH VIDYA?

Vidya Balan gave many kids their nightmare when she did the Aami Je Tomar performance in Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Eyes bulging, the abnormal gait, and the dance to that Bengali song... the actress showed her prowess to the audience. She even overpowered Akshay Kumar in some scenes of the movie.

To match Vidya, Anees Bazmee got Tabu. We aren’t sure of what exactly her character would be, but she would certainly be stepping into the role of a possessed lady. Will the audience accept Tabu or not, time will tell; but Tabu will have to match up to Vidya in the first movie.

But will Vidya have a cameo in the movie? Director Anees Bazmee told Mid-Day, “If the film is Bhool Bhulaiyaa, she has to be there in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Let the rest be a surprise.”