Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment is back with Housefull 5, promising another dose of the madcap fun that has defined the Housefull films. This fifth entry in the series maintains the franchise’s comedic core, but distinguishes itself by weaving in a compelling crime narrative.
Story
The opulent cruise ship was set to host a monumental celebration: the 100th birthday of multi-millionaire Ranjeet Dobriyal. Among the attendees were his son, Dev, the ambitious board of directors of his company – Shiraz, Maya, and Bedi – along with the eccentric Aakhri Pasta, the bumbling Batuk Patel, the stoic Captain Sameer, and Ranjeet’s personal physician. But the festivities were tragically cut short when Ranjeet unexpectedly passed away before the party even began.
The focus swiftly shifted to Ranjeet’s will. Enter Lucy, a sharp legal expert, who delivered a bombshell: the sole heir to Ranjeet’s vast fortune was Jolly, his estranged son from a previous marriage. The directors, naturally displeased, faced a new, bewildering problem: who was Jolly?
As if summoned by the will itself, three men claiming to be the rightful heir arrived on board, each accompanied by his wife. First came Jalabuddin, aka Jolly, and his wife Zara. Hot on their heels was Jalbhushan, also known as Jolly, with his wife Sasikala. Finally, Julius, yet another Jolly, arrived with his wife Kaanchi.
To settle the matter definitively, Ranjeet’s doctor was tasked with conducting DNA tests on all three Jollys. However, before the results could be revealed, the doctor was brutally murdered, throwing the investigation into chaos. Soon after, another tragedy struck as Bedi became the next victim, shot dead aboard the ship.
The escalating violence drew the attention of Interpol. The quirky duo of Bhidu and Baba arrived to investigate, but their efforts proved fruitless. Frustrated, their formidable boss, Dhagdu, joined the fray.
Now, the cruise was a boiling pot of suspicion, secrets, and deadly intentions. The questions piled up: Who was the killer lurking among them? And, more importantly, which of the three claimants was the real Jolly, destined to inherit Ranjeet Dobriyal’s fortune? The answers, it seemed, were as murky and dangerous as the ocean surrounding them.
Performances
Akshay Kumar delivers a superb performance as Julius, while Abhishek Bachchan’s comedic timing as Jalbhushan is notable. Riteish Deshmukh excels as Jalabuddin, and Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff perform well as Interpol officers.
Nana Patekar’s limited role is effective but underwhelming. Jacqueline Fernandez and Chitrangda Singh are satisfactory, whereas Sonam Bajwa impresses with her Urdu delivery.
Other cast members, including Shreyas Talpade, Fardeen Khan, Chunkey Panday, and Johny Lever, contribute positively in their roles. Bobby Deol’s surprise appearance is a highlight.
Behind the scenes
Tarun Mansukhani’s direction is commendable, but the film lacks consistent humor. The music is entertaining, with highlights including the hit song “Laal paree” by Yo Yo Honey Singh and the good track “Dil-E-Nadaan.”
Choreography by Adil Shaikh and Remo D’Souza is visually appealing, and Julius Packiam’s background score is notable. V. Manikandan’s cinematography is excellent, while action scenes by Parvez Shaikh are thrilling.
Production design is top-notch, but Rameshwar S. Bhagat’s editing needs improvement for better comedic impact.
Final Analysis
Sajid Nadiadwala’s story for the latest Housefull film features a mix of humorous anecdotes, though not all succeed in evoking laughter. The screenplay, co-written with Farhad Samji and others, is uneven; while the first half has some amusing moments, the post-interval section feels stretched and less engaging. While aiming for a Priyadarshan-style comedy, it lacks that signature charm. The dialogues are noted to be impressive and contain double entendres, appealing primarily to mainstream audiences.
On the whole, Housefull 5 offers a passable, if ultimately unremarkable, entertainment experience. The film’s strengths lie in its comedic elements, sharp dialogue, commendable performances, and the catchy “Laal paree” song. Notably, Housefull 5 features two distinct endings, meaning the two versions of the film diverge in content within the final 20-25 minutes which definitely leave the audience guessing.
