2024 ‧ Horror/Comedy
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
2024 ‧ Horror/Comedy
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is an upcoming Hindi-language horror-comedy film slated for release in 2024. Directed by Anees Bazmee, the movie is produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar under the T-Series Films banner, along with Murad Khetani from Cine1 Studios. Serving as a spiritual sequel to the 2022 film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and the third installment in the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise, the film stars Kartik Aaryan reprising his role as Rooh Baba. He is joined by Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and Triptii Dimri in pivotal roles. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release during the Diwali 2024 weekend.
The principal photography for the movie is already complete. Unlike its predecessors—Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) set in Uttar Pradesh and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) set in Rajasthan—Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is set in Kolkata, West Bengal.
The cast of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 features Kartik Aaryan reprising his role as Ruhaan Randhawa, also known as Rooh Baba, and Vidya Balan returning as Manjulika. The ensemble also includes Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri, Vijay Raaz, and Rajpal Yadav, who plays the character of Chhote Pandit. Sanjay Mishra joins the cast as Bade Pandit, with Manish Wadhwa portraying another Pandit. Rajesh Sharma, Ashwini Kalsekar (who plays Panditayeen, Bade Pandit’s wife), Arun Kushwah, Prantika Das, and Kabbir round out the cast in various roles.
Production
Development
The third installment of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise was officially announced on March 1, 2023, through a teaser released by T-Series. This announcement highlighted the return of producer Bhushan Kumar, director Anees Bazmee, and actor Kartik Aaryan, with Aaryan reprising his lead role as Rooh Baba. Anees Bazmee is back as both the director and writer for this film.
Casting
Kartik Aaryan leads the cast once again as Rooh Baba. On February 12, 2024, he revealed that Vidya Balan, who famously portrayed Monjulika in Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), would be reprising her iconic role. He shared a video of them dancing to the song “Mere Dholna,” sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Arijit Singh. Later, on February 21, 2024, Aaryan announced another exciting addition to the cast, welcoming Triptii Dimri to the project. Rajpal Yadav also returns as Chhota Pandit, and the film’s star-studded lineup includes Madhuri Dixit, Vijay Raaz, Rajesh Sharma, Manish Wadhwa, Sanjay Mishra, and Ashwini Kalsekar.
Filming
On March 9, 2024, the cast and crew of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 kicked off the production with a muhurat puja ceremony in Mumbai. Producer Bhushan Kumar clapped the muhurat shot for Kartik Aaryan, marking the official start of filming. Vidya Balan, Triptii Dimri, Rajesh Sharma, and co-producer Shiv Chanana were also present. T-Series shared a glimpse of this ceremony on March 11, 2024, titled “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Begins,” which featured Aaryan shooting the film’s first scene—a train sequence filmed by DOP Manu Anand.
Director Anees Bazmee faced significant challenges during filming, as he fractured his leg on the last day of the location recce. Despite medical advice to undergo a major surgery and take a three-month rest, he opted for minor surgery so he could continue working. Bazmee arrived on set in a wheelchair to ensure the film stayed on track for its Diwali 2024 release. The production involved extensive planning, with key members Bhushan Kumar, Anees Bazmee, and Kartik Aaryan actively involved in discussions and preparations.
Filming began in Mumbai, wrapping up the first schedule on March 27, 2024. During this time, Aaryan’s entry sequence, which includes a large-scale song and dance number, was filmed. This sequence is being touted as the biggest Bollywood song to date, with a massive set erected in Film City, Mumbai, and over a thousand background dancers.
After a short break, Bazmee, still recovering from his injury, scouted locations in Kolkata for the next filming schedule. The cast and crew arrived in Kolkata on April 8, 2024, to begin this schedule. Kartik Aaryan, in his ‘Rooh Baba’ avatar, was seen riding a bullet on Howrah Bridge, along with scenes shot with Prantika Das and Arun Kushwah at Victoria Memorial. Additional filming took place at Mallick Ghat flower market, Park Street Graveyard, Nonapukur Tram Depot, and Laha Bari in Central Kolkata. Earlier, the production team had also set up an elaborate Bengali village set in Mumbai for key shots.
After completing the Kolkata schedule, the team resumed filming on the same Bengali set in Mumbai. A segment involving Kartik Aaryan, Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz, Rajpal Yadav, and Ashwini Kalsekar was wrapped up by May 13, 2024, with a major dance sequence filmed on May 21, 2024. On May 29, 2024, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, Manish Wadhwa, Rajesh Sharma, Vijay Raaz, and others shot a pivotal scene on the Mumbai set, with Balan and Dixit twinning in black sarees.
Bazmee had pre-shot Kartik Aaryan’s scenes in May 2024, allowing the team to continue filming without him during early June. The team took a break in early June to accommodate Aaryan’s promotional commitments for his film Chandu Champion, released on June 14, 2024. Filming resumed on July 1, 2024, in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, with Aaryan, Dixit, Dimri, Balan, Yadav, and others shooting key scenes at historic landmarks like Orchha Fort, Ram Raja Mandir, and Jahangir Mahal. The schedule included intense sequences at Kanchana Ghat on the Betwa River.
A portion of the climax, involving crucial scenes with the entire principal cast, was also filmed in Orchha. Afterward, the team returned to Mumbai to complete the remaining scenes of the climax. Principal photography concluded with final scenes shot on July 31 and August 1, 2024.
Release
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is set for a worldwide theatrical release on November 1, 2024, coinciding with the Diwali festive period.
Distribution
AA Films has acquired the theatrical distribution rights for the film. Distributor Anil Thadani has secured single screens as part of a broader strategy involving multiple films, including Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3 THREATIACL RELEASED –WIKIPEDIA
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is directed and written by Anees Bazmee, with production by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Murad Khetani. The film stars Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and Triptii Dimri. Cinematography is handled by Manu Anand, and the music is composed by Pritam. The movie is produced under the banners of T-Series Films and Cine1 Studios, with distribution by AA Films. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is set for release on October 31, 2024, in India and will be in Hindi.