Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) Movie Drinking Game
Down a Shot: each time anyone mentions black magic/voodoo
Down a Shot: each time Reet scrambles around to find a suitable hiding place.
Down a Shot: each time the movie plays into the nostalgia of the original with its subtly planted Easter eggs.
Down a Shot: each time you hear the uneasy jingle-jangle of anklets.
By: Vidal D’costa (Four Beers) –
A free-spirited wanderer, Ruhaan is smitten by fellow traveler, Reet, while on a fun trip to Manali. However, their meet-cute takes a turn and eventually leads Ruhaan into a labyrinth, as he digs up Reet’s family’s dark past at a decrepit manor in her native Rajasthan, meets a wide variety of eccentric characters who take him on a joy ride, while also inadvertently role-playing as an exorcist who is tasked by his love interest’s superstitious family members with appeasing Manjulika, a scorned spirit who returns from the grave in order to exact revenge.
A Toast
I’d like to start off with the disclaimer that despite sharing a title with its predecessor, Bhool Bhulaiyaa (a psychological thriller that was also rollickingly funny which released in 2007 and hasn’t dulled in terms of re-watch value, either), this ‘sequel’ shares nothing more than a few borrowed tropes and the moniker of ‘Manjulika’ in common with the former. Another major difference is that unlike the first installment, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 favours a horror comedy-esque approach, thus distinguishing itself from its predecessor. But as someone who grew up on re-runs of the OG during the cable era, the subtle nods, homages, and recurring characters who are utilised far better this time around most certainly caught my eye.
Since I scare easily, the first half had me in a proper death grip with its execution of the twists as well as the eerie foreshadowing that plays a pivotal part in the final showdown.
A veteran of the craft, Tabu is a legend at even emoting through her contact lenses and the scenes wherein she transitions into ‘evil sis mode’ (the actress plays the double role of twin sisters, the malevolent Manjulika and the angelic Anjulika) are particularly proof of the same. Co-star Kartik Aaryan holds fort as the laid-back Ruhaan/Rooh Baba, the unwilling agent of chaos, and it was exceptionally intriguing to watch the young actor come into his own in the climactic ‘possession’ sequence.
The trio of Rajpal Yadav, Sanjay Mishra, and Ashwini Kalsekar also knock it out of the park with their comic timing, and the subplot centered around the trio starting beef with the new tantrik on the block (Rooh Baba) in the first half adds a lot to the movie and its message of conveying the malicious hold of superstition in small towns, too.
A special mention to the rehashed “Bhool Bhulaiya” theme track with its invigorating electric guitar riff and the revisited male version of “Mere Dholna”, both numbers that stand out in an otherwise generic and bland score.
Beer Two
The comedy writing unfortunately feels very dated (other than a couple of humourous visual gags, dad jokes, and some very self-aware humour) and depends on fat shaming and sexist jokes which were more squirmish than the horror elements. Speaking about horror, the second half is tragically riddled with predictable jump scares despite the promising first half, which might reduce the re-watch value.
Beer Three
Kiara Advani’s character, Reet, has a pretty pivotal role to play, but as an actor, Advani is one-note and forgettable. Even the romantic song and dance routines between her and Aaryan feel like filler scenes that were stretched into oblivion, and end up taking up far too much screen time in the first half.
Beer Four
The CGI/VFX animals were unintentionally funny (except maybe the crows/ ravens). Special mention to a CGI Rajpal Yadav.
Verdict
Ultimately, Tabu’s scenes prove to be a scream and the climax definitely salvages most of the movie, so Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 might just do the trick if you fancy a one-time watch just to get you into the Halloween spirit. Just don’t venture into it with far too many expectations.
