In the latest installment of the Housefull franchise, Housefull 5, the stage is set for a thrilling yet chaotic comedy, packed with eccentric characters, high-stakes drama, and of course, the signature humor fans have come to expect. But this time, it’s not just about the laughs—there’s a murder mystery, plenty of twists, and unexpected surprises waiting to unfold.
The Plot: A Lavish Birthday and a Mysterious Death
The movie kicks off with Ranjeet Dobriyal (played by the ever-charismatic Ranjeet), the seventh richest man in the United Kingdom, preparing to celebrate his 100th birthday aboard his luxurious cruise. The lavish event is a who’s who of his business empire: his CFO Maya (Chitrangda Singh), COO Bedi (Dino Morea), CMO Shiraz (Shreyas Talpade), and his son, the CEO Dev (Fardeen Khan). Along with the cruise crew, Captain Sameer (Nikitin Dheer) and officer Batuk Patel (Johny Lever), this star-studded gathering is brimming with anticipation.
But just as things start to unfold, disaster strikes—Ranjeet suddenly passes away, leaving behind a shocking twist. Enter lawyer Lucy (Soundarya Sharma), who reads Ranjeet’s will, revealing a shocking development: his entire fortune is to be passed on to his son from his first marriage, Jolly, whom no one had heard of. Jolly is set to board the ship the next day, but things get out of hand when three different men claim to be the one and only Jolly. These three men—Jalabuddin (Riteish Deshmukh), Jalbhushan (Abhishek Bachchan), and Julius (Akshay Kumar)—arrive along with their respective wives, Zara (Sonam Bajwa), Sashikala (Jacqueline Fernandez), and Kanchi (Nargis Fakhri), throwing everything into disarray.
In a bid to sort things out, Dev, the disillusioned son, arranges a DNA test to determine who the real Jolly is. But the situation quickly escalates. The night takes a bizarre turn when everyone drinks a mysterious concoction that causes them to forget the events of the night. The very next morning, Dr. Aman Joshi (Akashdeep Sabir) is found dead, and all clues point to one of the three Jollys being the killer. Enter two quirky cops, Bhidu (Sanjay Dutt) and Baba (Jackie Shroff), who arrive from the UK to crack the case. What happens next is a rollercoaster of laughter, mystery, and mayhem.
A Script that’s Full of Laughter and Surprises
The story, crafted by Sajid Nadiadwala, with a screenplay by Farhad Samji and Tarun Mansukhani, sets the stage for a classic Housefull comedy, but with a dash of intrigue. The writing successfully juggles multiple characters and motives, creating an entertaining and unpredictable narrative. While some moments in the screenplay feel a bit rough around the edges, the overall flow is engaging enough to keep the audience hooked.
What stands out in the film is the unpredictability of the plot. The identity of the murderer is one of the biggest surprises, leaving the audience guessing until the very end. The dialogues, penned by Farhad Samji and Tarun Mansukhani, are a highlight. Though some of the humor may feel a little offensive or racially charged for some, the bold jokes and sharp one-liners will have the die-hard fans in stitches.
Direction That Keeps the Laughter Coming
Under the direction of Tarun Mansukhani, Housefull 5 retains the essence of its predecessors while introducing a fresh approach to the series. Mansukhani, who comes from a different filmmaking background, manages to keep the film’s energy high, with the story constantly evolving and the characters delivering punchlines one after another. There’s a fine balance between suspense and comedy, making sure that the narrative doesn’t get bogged down by the sheer number of characters or the twist-heavy plot.
While the first half of the film is packed with humor and intrigue, the second half sees a slight dip in the energy levels. The humor involving the two bumbling cops, Bhidu and Baba, doesn’t hit the mark as well as it should have, and some of the scenes feel irrelevant to the plot. Additionally, a few bizarre choices—such as the use of ChatGPT-esque stills for the final scene—felt unnecessary and out of place.
But let’s not forget the most fun part of the film: the moment when the characters wake up with no memory of the night before. This setup, especially the scenes with Jalabuddin and Kanchi, is absolute comedy gold, and it is guaranteed to have the audience rolling with laughter. The intermission, too, serves as a cliffhanger that raises the stakes in a very humorous way.
A Cast That Delivers Laughs at Every Turn
The star-studded ensemble cast is undoubtedly the heart of Housefull 5, and it’s their performances that make the film shine. Akshay Kumar, as always, is the comic genius, delivering punchlines with perfect timing and effortlessly owning the scenes. Riteish Deshmukh’s character is equally entertaining, balancing wit and slapstick humor with ease. While Abhishek Bachchan is solid in his role, his character often takes a backseat to the comedic brilliance of his co-stars, which results in him being overshadowed.
Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, and Soundarya Sharma all bring their charm to the film, adding to the glamour factor and keeping the energy up. The veteran actors Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff make their mark but are somewhat limited by the script, which doesn’t quite utilize their full potential. Nana Patekar’s late entry adds some mass appeal, and even in his short role, he leaves a lasting impression.
Supporting actors like Fardeen Khan, Dino Morea, Shreyas Talpade, and Chunky Pandey play crucial roles, though not all of them are given enough screen time to truly showcase their talents. Nevertheless, the comedic moments they share, especially with the trio of Jollys, bring plenty of laughs.
Technical Aspects: Glamour, Action, and Music
The technical side of Housefull 5 is nothing short of grand. The songs, cleverly integrated into the narrative, are a joy to listen to. Tracks like ‘Laal Pari’ are catchy and instantly relatable, while ‘Dil E Nadaan’ and ‘Qayamat’ will make you want to get up and dance. However, the much-anticipated ‘The Phoogdi Dance’ falls flat, not quite living up to expectations.
Julis Packiam’s background score ramps up the excitement during key moments, building tension and adding to the overall cinematic experience. The cinematography, led by Manikandan Velayutham, is top-notch, with vibrant visuals that complement the extravagant setting. The action, choreographed by Parvez Shaikh, fits the mood of the film, keeping things light and entertaining without getting too serious.
Costumes by Rohit Chaturvedi and Sanam Ratani are visually stunning and add a glamorous touch to the proceedings, especially with the women’s outfits. Production design by Rajat Poddarr and Rajnish Hedao captures the luxury of the cruise, while Iain Andrews’ contribution ensures the visuals are sleek and stylish. VFX work by NY VFXWaala and Do It Creative Ltd is competent, though it could have been more refined in certain parts.
The editing by Rameshwar S Bhagat could have been sharper, especially in the second half. Some scenes drag on, and the pacing slows down in the latter part of the film, which could have been tightened up for a more seamless experience.
Final Verdict: A Wild and Hilarious Ride
At its core, Housefull 5 is a full-throttle comedy that brings together all the elements that made the franchise so beloved—absurd humor, over-the-top performances, and a dash of suspense. The film may not be perfect, with its occasional missteps in pacing and humor, but it delivers on its promise of a good time.
If you’re in the mood for some mindless fun and a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Housefull 5 hits the mark. It’s a paisa-vasool entertainer, packed with laughter, unpredictability, and just the right amount of madness to make for a memorable movie night.
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