Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, directed by Anees Bazmee and written by Aakash Kaushik, hit theatres on November 1, 2024. The film brings back Kartik Aaryan as the conman exorcist Rooh Baba, embarking on a fresh adventure with no connection to the events of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. The cast also includes Madhuri Dixit, Vidya Balan, and Triptii Dimri, along with Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz, Rajpal Yadav, and Ashwini Kalsekar. ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ Movie Review: Kartik Aaryan’s Mildy Intriguing Horror-Comedy is Haunted By Knotty Writing, Outdated Humour and CGI Spooks!

In Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Ruhan aka Rooh Baba is brought to a haunted palace, where he’s believed to be the reincarnation of a deceased prince, Rajkumar Debendranath. The locals think he alone can exorcise the vengeful spirit of the prince's sister, Manjulika, who was burned alive after murdering her brother. SPOILERS Ahead… it’s soon suggested that there could be two spirits haunting the palace, as we learn the prince had another older sister, Anjulika, who was also envious of him and may have played a part in his murder.

But everyone is more concerned with identifying Manjulika and strangely forgets about Anjulika. This leads to two contenders: Mallika (Vidya Balan), who claims to be a restoration expert, and Mandira (Madhuri Dixit), who presents herself as a royal interested in purchasing the palace. Occasionally, the movie also casts suspicion on Meera (Triptii Dimri), hinting that she could be the reincarnation of the prince’s wife though that amounts to nothing. So, who really is Manjulika?

The Real Manjulika of Bhool Bhulaiyaa

The Bhool Bhulaiyaa films have always toyed with the mystery surrounding Manjulika or the person possessed by her. In the first film, it appeared that Radha was possessed by Manjulika, but we ultimately learn Avni was suffering from dissociative identity disorder, believing herself to be Manjulika. In Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, it seemed the spirit was Manjulika’s, only for the twist to reveal it was actually her twin sister, Anjulika, seeking vengeance on her treacherous sibling who had switched identities and murdered her.

Watch the Trailer of 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3':

In Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, however, we discover there aren’t two spirits in the palace - there’s only one. And it’s neither Manjulika nor Anjulika. Instead, it’s Rajkumar Debendranath’s spirit. The prince was queer and had a feminine side, preferring dance over warfare. Also for some strange reasons, he wants to call himself Manjulika, even though that's his sister's name. When his jealous sisters learned this, they exposed his sexuality to their father, who, fearing disgrace, ordered his son to be burned alive. The sisters were banished, with Anjulika even being erased from the family records, although years later, Raja Saab's rajpurohit conveniently “rediscovered” her mention.

A Still From Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3

Thus, the prince’s spirit not only killed his father and his men but also waited for years to take revenge on his sisters. The rajpurohit’s ancestor had trapped the spirit in a hidden dungeon, leaving a decoy door to mislead anyone who might attempt to open the chamber (which someone inevitably does). However, Rooh Baba stupidly unlocks the real door out of greed, releasing Devendranath’s spirit and triggering the actual palace hauntings. Earlier, it’s hinted that the “ghostly” activities were just pranks played by Bade Pandit, Panditayeen, and Chhota Pandit.

Devendranath’s Revenge and Redemption

As it turns out, Rooh Baba isn’t Devendranath’s reincarnation; his resemblance to the prince remains an unsolved mystery. Instead, Manjulika and Anjulika are reincarnated as Mallika and Mandira, respectively, who eventually recall memories of their past lives. Devendranath’s spirit occasionally made them act strangely to convince the palace residents that they were the ghosts, though this strategy ultimately seems pointless. ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’: Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Jawan’ Cameo in Kartik Aaryan’s Horror-Comedy? Know the Truth About This Leaked Video That’s Going Viral!

A Still From Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3

In the end, the task of exorcising the spirit falls on Manjulika and Anjulika, who are asked to burn the prince’s spirit. However, they experience remorse, recognising the faults of their past lives, and beg their brother’s spirit to forgive them, offering to be the targets of his wrath instead of others. Moved by their repentance, the spirit forgives them and departs, leaving everyone in peace.

Who Are Mallika and Mandira Really?

Mallika is indeed a restoration expert who chose her profession because of recurring flashes of her past life. She’s innocent of Kaushik’s mysterious disappearance, as the restoration expert Meera previously contacted had merely gone on a long holiday to Goa.

A Still From Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3

Mandira, however, isn’t a royal nor is she a queen aiming to buy the palace for INR 1000 crore, meaning Vijay Raaz’s Raja Saab (Meera’s father) will have to wait longer for a sale to escape poverty. In reality, her name isn’t even Mandira; she’s ACP Rathore, the very officer Rooh Baba’s sidekick Tillu had mentioned as coming to arrest them. She might have been at Rakht Ghat to apprehend Ruhan, but the spirit’s influence gave her a new identity, resulting in amnesia. If ACP Rathore regains her memory, she may arrest Ruhan for his fraudulent ways, or perhaps let him go, given that he ultimately saved her life.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 02, 2024 11:08 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).