Rating: ★★ (2/5)
Housefull 5 arrives with sky-high expectations, boasting the biggest ensemble cast yet in the franchise’s history. Headlined by Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Nana Patekar, Jackie Shroff, and Dino Morea, alongside Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangada Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Soundarya Sharma, Chunky Pandey, Nikitin Dheer, and Johnny Lever — the film packs in star power, glamour, and extravagant visuals.
Departing slightly from its earlier formulas, Housefull 5 takes on a murder mystery comedy format. The plot centers around multiple imposters who each claim to be the son of a recently deceased billionaire, all vying for his massive fortune while aboard a luxury cruise ship. What follows is a chaotic blend of deception, misunderstandings, slapstick humor, and lavish song sequences.
While the film’s premise had potential for a fresh spin, it ultimately falls back on recycled gags and over-the-top antics that feel worn-out. The double ending adds unnecessary confusion, leaving the audience more puzzled than amused. The comedy often relies on outdated stereotypes and fails to deliver the tight, clever writing that could have elevated the chaos into brilliant farce.
Despite these shortcomings, Housefull 5 delivers on scale and spectacle. The luxury cruise setting, international locations, designer costumes, and opulent sets give the film a visually rich and glamorous appeal, making it a treat for viewers who enjoy big-budget Bollywood extravaganzas.
The female cast — including Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangada Singh, Sonam Bajwa, and Soundarya Sharma — sadly remains underutilized, often reduced to mere eye candy rather than fully developed characters.
Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh continue to bring comic energy, while Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, and others do their part to keep the ensemble lively. However, even the combined star power can’t fully overcome the film’s shallow script.
Housefull 5 is a glossy, entertaining watch for those seeking mindless fun and visual extravagance but fails to match the freshness of earlier entries.
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