| Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 | |
| Director: | Anees Bazmee |
| Producer: | Bhushan Kumar Krishan Kumar Murad Khetani |
| Starring: | Kartik Aaryan Vidya Balan Madhuri Dixit Triptii Dimri |
| Cinematography: | Manu Anand |
| Music: | Pritam |
| Studio: | T-Series Films Cine1 Studios |
| Distributor: | AA Films |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Hindi |
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is an upcoming 2024 Indian Hindi-language horror-comedy film written and directed by Anees Bazmee and produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar under the banner of T-Series Films; and Murad Khetani under Cine1 Studios banner. The film is a spiritual sequel to the 2022 film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and is the third installment of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise. Kartik Aaryan reprises his role as Rooh Baba, and is joined by Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and Triptii Dimri in key roles. The film is scheduled for theatrical release during the Diwali 2024 weekend.
Principal photography of the film is complete. While Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) were set in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, respectively, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is set in Kolkata, West Bengal.[1] [2]
Rooh Baba ventures into a haunted mansion in the heart of Kolkata to solve a gripping mystery and uncover the truth behind a mysterious and vengeful spirit.
The third installment of Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise was officially announced on 1 March 2023, through a teaser released by T-Series. The teaser announcement marked the collaboration of producer Bhushan Kumar, director Anees Bazmee, and actor Kartik Aaryan once again, with Aaryan returning in the lead role as Rooh Baba.[7] Anees Bazmee returns as both the director and writer for the film.[8]
Kartik Aaryan, re-enacting the pivotal role of Rooh Baba, leads the cast of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. On 12 February 2024, it was announced that Vidya Balan, who famously portrayed Monjulika in the original Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), would reprise her iconic character, by sharing a collaboration video of them dancing to "Mere Dholna", sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Arijit Singh.[9] On 21 February 2024, it was announced that Triptii Dimri will be joining the project bolstering the exciting star cast. Rajpal Yadav, known for his role as Chhota Pandit in the previous films, will also return to reprise his role. The cast also features Madhuri Dixit[10] in a key role with Vijay Raaz, Rajesh Sharma, Manish Wadhwa, Sanjay Mishra, and Ashwini Kalsekar forming a star-studded lineup.[11] [12]
On March 9, 2024, in Mumbai, the cast and crew of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 gathered for an inaugural muhurat puja ceremony to mark the beginning of principal photography. Producer Bhushan Kumar clapped the muhurat shot for actor Kartik Aaryan to officially kick off the filming process. Vidya Balan, Triptii Dimri, Rajesh Sharma, and co-producer Shiv Chanana were also present at the ceremony.[13] [14] A glimpse video of this ceremony was shared by T-Series on March 11, 2024, titled "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Begins", The video also featured Kartik Aaryan shooting the first shot of the movie, which was a train sequence, filmed by DOP Manu Anand.[15]
During shooting, director Anees Bazmee faced significant challenges as he fractured his leg on the last day of the film recce. Against doctor's suggestions to get a steel plate and rest for 3 months, he opted for minor surgery that allowed him to honor his commitment to the film. He came to the film set in a wheelchair and continued with his work to ensure the movie stayed on track for a Diwali 2024 release.[16] [17] The film's production involved extensive planning and coordination, with key members Bhushan Kumar, Anees Bazmee, and Kartik Aaryan actively engaged in discussions and preparations.[18]
Filming began in Mumbai, with the first schedule wrapping up on March 27, 2024.[19] During this schedule, the entry sequence of Kartik Aaryan was also shot. Kartik Aaryan's entry in the film features a major song and dance sequence, which has been billed as the biggest song in Bollywood to date. A massive set was erected in Film City, Mumbai, specifically for the song, which involved over a thousand background dancers.[20]
After a short break, Bazmee, still recovering from his injury, scouted for locations in Kolkata for the next schedule.[21] The cast and crew landed in Kolkata on April 8, 2024, to commence the second schedule.[22] In this schedule, Kartik in his 'Rooh Baba' avatar, rode a bullet on Howrah Bridge,[23] with Prantika Das and with Arun Kushwah at Victoria Memorial.[24] [25] The shooting then progressed to Mallick Ghat flower market, where a small set with skeletons was put up.[26] Following this, Bazmee scouted various locations and filmed scenes at the Park Street Graveyard and Nonapukur Tram Depot, and finally concluded the shoot at Laha Bari in Central Kolkata.[27] Prior to this, key shots were filmed at an elaborate Bengali village set setup by the production team in Mumbai.[28] [29]
After completing the Kolkata schedule, the team resumed filming on the same Bengali set in Mumbai, with a segment involving Kartik Aaryan, Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz, Rajpal Yadav, and Ashwini Kaleskar, wrapping up the week-long schedule on May 13, 2024. A significant dance sequence featuring lead actors was also filmed on May 21, 2024.[30] On May 29, 2024; Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, Manish Wadhwa, Rajesh Sharma, Vijay Raaz, and others shot a pivotal sequence on the film's set in Mumbai, with Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit twinning and complementing each other in black sarees.[31]
Bazmee had shot Kartik's scenes in advance, in May 2024, and the team continued filming without him for some days in early June. In early June 2024, the team took a break from shooting, allowing Aaryan to focus on promotional commitments for his film Chandu Champion, which was released on June 14, 2024. The next schedule was kicked off on July 1, 2024, in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh[32] [33] with Kartik Aaryan, Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri, Vidya Balan, Rajpal Yadav, and others. [34] Key scenes were shot at various historic landmarks such as Orchha Fort, Ram Raja Mandir, where Madhuri along with Kartik and Rajpal filmed some dramatic scenes, and Jahangir Mahal, where Aaryan filmed a romantic song and some romantic scenes with Triptii Dimri. The schedule included filming intense sequences at Kanchana Ghat on the Betwa River.[35]
A part of the climax sequence, including crucial scenes with all the principal actors together, was also shot there, with Kartik and other leads performing some crucial action sequences.[36] After shooting a portion of the climax in Orchha, the team returned to Mumbai to shoot the remaining scenes of the climax sequence with the entire cast.[37] The principal photography was wrapped with final scenes shot on July 31 and August 1, 2024.[38] [39]
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 1 November 2024, on the occasion of Diwali 2024, coinciding with the festive period.
The theatrical distribution rights were acquired by AA Films. Distributor Anil Thadani has secured single screens for the film, as part of a broader strategy involving three films, including Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.[40] [41]