Common Sense Media Review
By Sakhi Thirani
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Indian horror-comedy sequel has scares, stereotypes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
What's the Story?
In BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3, Ruhaan (Kartik Aaryan) is recruited by a family to deal with eerie happenings in their haunted house. They believe he's an exorcist, but he's actually a con man. As dark secrets begin to unfold, danger threatens everyone involved.
Is It Any Good?
The second sequel in this horror-comedy franchise once again struggles to live up to the beloved original film. Despite a strong cast including Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 relies heavily on repetitive jump scares that lose their effectiveness. The film includes some problematic humor targeting Bengali culture, and the romantic leads lack chemistry. While the movie attempts to incorporate progressive elements in its climax, the female characters feel underdeveloped despite being played by talented actors. Director Anees Bazmee's sequel moves away from the psychological horror elements that made the original compelling, focusing instead on broader comedy and conventional scares. Fans of the franchise will once again find this installment disappointing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether they found Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 scary. What's the appeal of horror movies? Why do some people like to be scared sometimes?
What did you think of the jokes about Bengali culture? How do stereotypes in comedy affect how we see different groups of people? When does humor cross the line from funny to hurtful?
Have you seen Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2? How did this sequel compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 1, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : November 1, 2024
- Cast : Kartik Aaryan , Vidya Balan , Madhuri Dixit
- Director : Anees Bazmee
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 158 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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