Housefull 5 Movie Review: A Chaotic Comedy with Mixed Results!
The Housefull Franchise: A Legacy of Laughter
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Housefull 5 Review : Critics Aren’t Impressed, But Akshay Kumar’s Film Pulls in ₹15 Crore+ Anyway
Since its debut in 2010, the Housefull franchise has carved a niche in Bollywood as a go-to for over-the-top, slapstick comedy. Known for its star-studded casts, convoluted plots, and unapologetic humor, the series has delivered four films that have consistently drawn audiences despite mixed critical reception. Housefull 5, released on June 6, 2025, marks the fifth installment, introducing a novel murder-mystery twist aboard a luxury cruise ship. Directed by Tarun Mansukhani and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, this ambitious comedy-thriller features two distinct endings—Housefull 5A and 5B—a first for Hindi cinema, aiming to keep viewers guessing. With a massive ensemble of 19 actors, a reported budget of ₹225-375 crore, and the franchise’s signature chaos, Housefull 5 attempts to elevate its formula but faces challenges in balancing humor and coherence.
Plot and Setting: A Cruise of Confusion
Set on a luxurious cruise ship named Aiee, Housefull 5 revolves around the death of billionaire Ranjeet Dobriyal (Ranjeet), who leaves his £69 billion fortune to his son, “Jolly.” Chaos ensues when three men—Jalaluddin (Riteish Deshmukh), Jalbhushan (Abhishek Bachchan), and Julius (Akshay Kumar)—each claim to be the rightful heir, accompanied by their respective partners, Zara (Sonam Bajwa), Sasikala (Jacqueline Fernandez), and Kaanchi (Nargis Fakhri). As a masked killer prowls the ship, the plot spirals into a whirlwind of mistaken identities, slapstick gags, and a whodunit mystery. The film’s board of directors— Maya (Chitrangda Singh), Bedi (Dino Morea), Shiraz (Shreyas Talpade), and Dev (Fardeen Khan)—along with characters like cruise officer Batuk Patel (Johny Lever) and Aakhri Pasta (Chunky Panday), add to the frenetic energy. A late entry by Nana Patekar as Interpol chief Dagdu brings a spark, though the nearly three-hour runtime tests audience patience.
Star Cast and Performances: A Crowded Ensemble
Housefull 5 boasts an ensemble of 19 actors, one of the largest in recent Bollywood history. Leading the pack are franchise stalwarts Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, and Chunky Panday, joined by Abhishek Bachchan, who returns after Housefull 3. The cast is rounded out by Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Sonam Bajwa, Chitrangda Singh, Soundarya Sharma, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Fardeen Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Johny Lever, Dino Morea, Nikitin Dheer, Akashdeep Sabir, and Ranjeet. Reports also suggest a cameo by Bobby Deol, adding to the star power.
Akshay Kumar shines with his impeccable comic timing, carrying scenes with his expressive humor, while Riteish Deshmukh delivers consistent laughs. Abhishek Bachchan blends well but is occasionally overshadowed. Veterans like Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff bring charm but are underutilized, while Nana Patekar’s late entry steals the show. The female leads—Jacqueline, Nargis, Sonam, Chitrangda, and Soundarya—add glamour but are limited to superficial roles, often reduced to objects of the male gaze. Supporting actors like Shreyas Talpade and Joh Stuart Lever are underused, with critics noting their talents are wasted in a cluttered script.
Direction and Production: Ambitious but Uneven
Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, known for Dostana, Housefull 5 attempts to blend the franchise’s signature comedy with a murder-mystery thriller. Mansukhani’s vision, backed by producer Sajid Nadiadwala’s ambitious script, aims for a fresh take with dual climaxes, a concept Nadiadwala envisioned for 30 years. The film, produced under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, was shot across a London-France-Spain cruise, adding to its lavish production. However, the direction struggles to maintain the franchise’s chaotic charm while integrating suspense, resulting in a first half that drags with dated humor and a second half that picks up with a thrilling climax. The music, composed by Yo Yo Honey Singh, Sachin Sanghvi, Jigar Saraiya, Tanishk Bagchi, and White Noise Collectives, features catchy tracks like Laal Pari and Qayamat, enhancing the film’s vibrant vibe.
Financials: A High-Stakes Venture
Housefull 5 is one of India’s costliest comedies, with a reported production budget of ₹225 crore, excluding prints and advertising, though some sources claim up to ₹375 crore. The film’s lavish sets, extensive cruise-based shooting, and massive cast contributed to the high costs. Pre-release, it recovered ₹135 crore through non-theatrical deals, including ₹75 crore from digital rights, ₹40 crore from satellite rights, and ₹20 crore from music rights. With an opening day collection of ₹23 crore, surpassing Housefull 4’s opening, the film needs to cover roughly ₹105 crore through theatrical earnings to break even. Strong advance bookings of ₹1.53 crore for 45,612 tickets across 8,516 shows indicate a promising start, but its success depends on sustaining audience interest.
Critical Reception: A Mixed Bag
Critics and audiences have delivered polarized reviews. Taran Adarsh called it a “paisa-vasool entertainer” with “madness, a thrilling climax, and mass-moments galore,” praising Mansukhani’s fresh energy and the unpredictable dual endings. Fans on X echoed this, with users like @KattarAaryan giving it four stars, lauding its entertainment and chaos, while @AdrRishi praised the “killer twist ending.” However, Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave it one star, criticizing its similarity to earlier installments and lack of innovation. Sukanya Verma from Rediff.com called it “the most idiotic thing I’ve watched this year,” slamming its absurd humor and lack of coherence. The Quint and Times of India noted stale jokes, weak writing, and wasted talent, though the second half and Nana Patekar’s cameo offered some redemption. Social media reflects this divide, with some calling it a “hilarious joyride” perfect for franchise fans, while others labeled it “cheap, loud, and vulgar” with recycled humor.
Verdict: For Die-Hard Fans Only
Housefull 5 delivers the franchise’s trademark chaos, amplified by a stellar cast and a unique murder-mystery twist. While Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh shine, and the dual climaxes add intrigue, the film struggles with a bloated runtime, dated humor, and an overcrowded plot. For fans seeking mindless fun, it’s a nostalgic, family-friendly ride, but those expecting sharp writing or fresh comedy may find it exhausting. The film’s box office fate hinges on whether its star power and spectacle can outweigh its flaws. If you’re a Housefull loyalist, catch Housefull 5A for its slightly stronger climax, but temper expectations for groundbreaking humor.
Release Date : June 06, 2025
Star Cast
Bobby Deol as Real Jolly, son of Ranjeet Dobriyal (cameo appearance)
Akshay Kumar as Julius “Jolly 3”
Abhishek Bachchan as Jalbhushan “Jolly 2” / Killer A
Riteish Deshmukh as Jalabuddin “Jolly 1”
Jacqueline Fernandez as Sasikala, Jalbhushan’s wife
Sonam Bajwa as Zara, Jalabuddin’s wife
Nargis Fakhri as Kaanchi, Julius’s wife
Sanjay Dutt as Bhiddu, police officer
Jackie Shroff as Baba, police officer
Nana Patekar as Dhagdu
Chunky Panday as Aakhri Pasta
Fardeen Khan as Dev / Killer B
Shreyas Talpade as Shiraz
Dino Morea as Bedi
Ranjeet as Ranjeet Dobriyal
Johnny Lever as Batuk Patel
Chitrangda Singh as Maya
Soundarya Sharma as Lucy
Nikitin Dheer as Captain Sameer
Akashdeep Sabir as Doctor
