The Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise is getting another spine-tingling addition, with the original “Manjulika” herself, Vidya Balan, finally returning in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
The iconic actress, who became synonymous with her chilling role in the 2007 original, had initially refused to participate in the second film, fearing she couldn’t replicate its impact.
But with a captivating new script and an impressive cast that includes Madhuri Dixit, Vidya says she’s ready to step back into the eerie world of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, set to release on Diwali, November 1.
Bhushan Kumar Reveals Vidya Balan Rejected BB2 Out Of Fear
When the franchise’s producer, Bhushan Kumar, rebooted Bhool Bhulaiyaa for its 2022 sequel, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, he approached Vidya Balan to make a return. However, she declined.
At the launch event for “Ami Je Tomar 3.0” in Mumbai, Kumar recalled, “I had approached Vidya ji for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, but she had refused. When we launched the trailer, we invited her to support it, and she loved it, even sharing the trailer online.”
Vidya’s fondness for the sequel didn’t go unnoticed, and Bhushan revealed her commitment: “She promised me that she’d be a part of the third film. So that’s where Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 started to take shape.”
Vidya Balan opened up about her reservations, admitting that she was hesitant to reprise her role after the success of the original. “I was so scared because Bhool Bhulaiyaa gave me so much,” Vidya explained. “I said, ‘Maine gadbad kar diya toh sab paani phir jaayega…’” (If I mess this up, everything will be washed away).
For Vidya, the stakes were high, and she felt she couldn’t risk spoiling the legacy of Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
Here’s What Led To Her Return With Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
When Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 hit theatres with Kartik Aaryan and Tabu in new lead roles, Vidya watched from the sidelines. However, she now says she loved what the team did with the sequel, which helped inspire her decision to return.
Reflecting on her initial refusal, Vidya shared, “I’ll tell you, the only reason I didn’t do Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2… I was so scared because the first one has given me so much.”
She revealed that she even told director Anees Bazmee she wasn’t ready to take on the risk. But as time passed and the Bhool Bhulaiyaa team approached her again with a new script for the third instalment, Vidya was intrigued. “I loved the script, I was dying to work on this with Anees Bhai and Bhushan,” she said.
Another element that excited Vidya was the addition of Madhuri Dixit to the cast. “There was Kartik, and I had loved Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. And then the icing on the cake was Madhuri Dixit joining,” she shared.
With her fears finally put to rest, Vidya expressed her admiration for Anees Bazmee’s skill, calling him “the king of entertainment,” and describing her experience working on the third instalment as “magical.”
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which will also feature Animal star Triptii Dimri, is aiming to captivate audiences when it opens in cinemas on November 1.
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