MUMBAI MIRROR (August 19, 2019)

The second instalment to the 2007 hit, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, has emerged as one of the most anticipated sequels of recent times. The original comedy psychological thriller featuring Vidya Balan and Akshay Kumar had left the audience wanting for more. The wait is finally over, courtesy movie mogul Bhushan Kumar.

Following much speculation, he has confirmed that he is making Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 under his banner T-Series and Murad Khetani’s Cine 1 studios and has roped in Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan as the main protagonist. “I had been eagerly waiting to make a sequel to Bhool Bhulaiyaa for the longest time, but we wanted to lock the right script. After a wait of 11 years, Murad bhai came to me with a script, which I felt was worthy of taking Bhool Bhulaiyaa forward as a franchise. I am thrilled to announce Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 in association with Murad bhai, with whom we delivered the box-office hit Kabir Singh. The project will be directed by Anees (Bazmee) bhai,” Bhushan said.

Murad Khetani added, “I am excited to collaborate with Bhushan Kumar and T-Series after our hugely successful Kabir Singh. I remember when Bhool Bhulaiyaa was released, it had created a crazy buzz. With Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 we are hoping to create a similar impact. We have roped in the extremely talented Kartik for the lead role and Anees bhai, with whom I worked on Mubarakan. We can’t wait to start rolling.”

Kartik Aaryan, who is collaborating with T-Series for the third time after the superhit Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and the underproduction Pati Patni Aur Woh, is equally excited. “I’m looking forward to collaborate with Bhushan ji again. Bhool Bhulaiyaa has always been one of my favourite comedies-supernatural thriller film and now being part of BB2 makes me happy, especially because I’ve been a big fan of Akshay Kumar sir and it’s a great responsibility to take his franchise forward. It’s a hilarious script and Anees sir has taken it to another level. I’m also looking forward to working with Murad bhai,” he said.

Anees Bazmee said, “I am excited to work with Bhushan ji and Murad bhai again. Kartik is a talented actor and has a great part in the film.”

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Murad Khetani and Krishan Kumar under T-Series and Cine 1 studios.

Directed by Anees Bazmee and featuring Kartik Aaryan, the film is written by Farhad Samji and Akash Kaushik. It is scheduled to hit the screens all over India on July 31, 2020.
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Sharing first look from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Aryan and director Anees ready to take Akshay's 2007 horror-comedy forward
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 19, 2019)

That he has a knack for comedy is easy to see in his past outings. In his maiden attempt at the genre of horror-comedy, Kartik Aaryan has a tall order — the actor will step into superstar Akshay Kumar's shoes for the sequel to Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Aaryan recently shot for the film's first look.

"Bhool Bhulaiyaa has been one of my favourite horror comedies. Being part of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 makes me happy, especially because I've been a big fan of Akshay Kumar sir. It's a big responsibility to take his franchise forward," he says.

While the 2007 hit was helmed by Priyadarshan, the directorial baton has been handed over to Anees Bazmee. "It's a hilarious script and Anees sir has taken it to another level," enthuses Aaryan.

One of the first horror comedies of Bollywood, Bhool Bhulaiyaa revolved around a couple, essayed by Vidya Balan and Shiney Ahuja, who move to their ancestral palace. Chatter about the palace being haunted gains credence when mysterious occurrences take place. The movie — a remake of Rajinikanth's Chandramukhi (2005), which was inspired by Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu — smartly tackled superstitions while shining a spotlight on mental disorders.

Bazmee remains tight-lipped when asked if the sequel will pick up from where the Kumar-starrer had left. He is more forthcoming in stating that the story, written by Farhad Samji and Akash Kaushik, will take on society's superstitious ways. "It reinvents the premise of the first film and is a fresh take on the genre. It talks about how society is blinded by superstitions in a humorous manner."