Housefull 5 aims for wild, no-holds-barred comedy, but its relentless, boundary-pushing humor ends up undermining its own appeal. The fifth installment of this Bollywood franchise goes all-in on absurdity, yet its unrestrained antics drown out any chance of clever, cohesive fun, leaving audiences adrift in a sea of overblown gags.
There’s a fine line between delightfully absurd humor and plain ridiculousness, and Housefull 5, the latest chapter in the long-running Bollywood comedy franchise, stumbles headfirst into the latter. The filmmakers seem oblivious to the fact that over-the-top silliness doesn’t always translate to clever comedy. Instead of delivering sharp, witty laughs, the movie drowns in a sea of exaggerated gags and nonsensical chaos, leaving audiences more baffled than amused.
Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, who previously helmed the hit Dostana but also the forgettable Drive, and written by producer Sajid Nadiadwala, Housefull 5 sets sail on a luxury cruise ship with a star-studded cast. Yet, despite its promising premise, the film quickly loses its way, sinking under the weight of its own absurdity.
A Plot That Goes Overboard
The story begins with a chilling murder on a cruise ship hosting a grand celebration for the 100th birthday of a fictional British tycoon, Ranjeet Dobriyal (played by Ranjeet). A masked killer stalks the decks, and as more bodies pile up, the mystery deepens. Enter two suspended British-Indian cops and a quirky, beedi-smoking Interpol chief (Nana Patekar), all tasked with cracking the case. But any hope of a thrilling whodunit is quickly buried under a barrage of overlong, uninspired jokes and a plot that defies logic at every turn.
The film’s core revolves around three men—each claiming to be the heir named Jolly—vying for Dobriyal’s vast fortune. Riteish Deshmukh plays Jalabuddin alias Jolly, paired with Zara (Sonam Bajwa); Abhishek Bachchan is Jalbhushan alias Jolly, accompanied by Sasikala (Jacqueliene Fernandez); and Akshay Kumar rounds out the trio as Julius alias Jolly, with Kaanchi (Nargis Fakhri). The cruise’s makeshift “board of directors”—Maya (Chitrangada Singh), Bedi (Dino Morea), Dev (Fardeen Khan), and Shiraz (Shreyas Talpade)—greets these imposters with growing confusion, adding to the chaotic mix.
What follows is a whirlwind of mistaken identities, slapstick antics, and relentless tomfoolery that feels more exhausting than entertaining. The film’s humor, aiming for zany, lands squarely in the realm of juvenile, with gags that drag on far too long and punchlines that rarely hit.
A Starry Cast, Underused Talent
Housefull 5 boasts an ensemble cast that reads like a who’s-who of Bollywood, but it fails to capitalize on their potential. The female leads—Jacqueliene Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangada Singh, and Soundarya Sharma—are reduced to decorative roles, popping up for dance sequences or half-hearted comedic bits that fall flat. Their characters lack depth, serving as mere props in a male-dominated farce.
Akshay Kumar, a Housefull veteran, reprises his knack for chaotic comedy but gets tangled in recycled gags, like his character’s ongoing battles with monkeys (a nod to the first film) and a pesky macaw (echoing Housefull 4). Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan bring their comedic chops, but their roles feel repetitive, trapped in a script that prioritizes quantity over quality. Supporting players like Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff, playing eccentric cops named Bhiddu and Baba, inject some energy, but their scenes are weighed down by crude humor, including a lazy jab that swaps “khalnayak” (villain) for “nalayak” (incompetent).
Johny Lever steps into the void left by Boman Irani, playing a chatty security officer with shades of Irani’s Batuk Patel from earlier films. Nikitin Dheer’s ship captain channels his Chennai Express Thangabali persona, while Nana Patekar’s Interpol chief steals scenes with his over-the-top Marathi flair, complete with a Fugdi fu dance sequence that feels bizarrely out of place. Yet even these veterans can’t salvage the film’s aimless narrative.
A Nod to Nostalgia, But at What Cost?
Housefull 5 leans heavily on references to its predecessors and Bollywood tropes, hoping to charm fans with nostalgia. From Akshay’s monkey troubles to Sanjay Dutt’s Khalnayak soundtrack cues, the film is packed with callbacks to the franchise’s 15-year history and other Hindi cinema staples. These Easter eggs might spark a chuckle for diehard fans, but for others, they feel like tired rehashes that add little value.
The film’s attempt to blend thriller and comedy elements falls apart as it sacrifices coherence for chaos. The murder mystery, which could have anchored the story, is overshadowed by a relentless stream of gags that range from silly to downright absurd. The result is a film that feels like a caricature of itself, unable to balance its madcap ambitions with genuine wit.
Why It Might Still Find an Audience
Despite its flaws, Housefull 5 taps into the franchise’s enduring appeal: unapologetic, no-holds-barred entertainment that doesn’t pretend to be high art. For fans who revel in its brand of mindless humor, the film’s nonstop nuttiness might deliver just enough laughs to justify a ticket. Its box office potential, like Housefull 4’s surprising success despite poor reviews, suggests there’s a loyal audience for this kind of absurdity.
Still, the film’s lack of restraint works against it. The humor, often crude and overblown, alienates viewers looking for clever comedy. The plot, riddled with holes, feels like an afterthought, and the talented cast is wasted on a script that prioritizes chaos over coherence.
The Verdict
Housefull 5 is a wild, messy ride that mistakes excess for entertainment. It’s a film that swings for the fences but lands in a sea of silliness, leaving audiences more dazed than delighted. If you’re a fan of the franchise’s signature lunacy, you might find moments to chuckle at, but for everyone else, this cruise ship comedy is a shipwreck best avoided.
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueliene Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangada Singh, Soundarya Sharma, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Dino Morea, Fardeen Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Johny Lever, Nikitin Dheer, Chunky Panday
Director: Tarun Mansukhani
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Last Updated on: Friday, June 6, 2025 3:31 pm by Lokram Chittiboina | Published by: Lokram Chittiboina on Friday, June 6, 2025 3:29 pm | News Categories: News
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