The Housefull franchise has long been Bollywood’s go-to for brainless fun, loud gags, and an ensemble of stars doing the most absurd things in glamorous settings. With Housefull 5, the makers promise to push boundaries by introducing a murder mystery into the chaos, along with a never-before-seen gimmick: two versions of the same film (Housefull 5A and 5B), each with a different killer and ending.
Directed by Tarun Mansukhani and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film stars franchise regular Akshay Kumar alongside Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, and Jackie Shroff, among others.
Housefull 5: Plot
Set on a luxurious cruise sailing through Europe, the film opens with a billionaire patriarch (played by Boman Irani) announcing at his 100th birthday celebration that he’s leaving behind an inheritance of £69 billion. The twist? It all goes to “Jolly.”
But there are three Jollys: Jalaluddin (Riteish Deshmukh), Jalbhushan (Abhishek Bachchan), and Julius (Akshay Kumar), each claiming to be the true heir. What begins as a comic battle for inheritance quickly spirals into a murder mystery when the billionaire dies under mysterious circumstances.
Enter two bumbling detectives, Bhiddu (Sanjay Dutt) and Baba (Jackie Shroff), who must figure out the killer while navigating through a web of lies, disguises, and red herrings.
The film’s unique selling point lies in its dual endings, each version features a different killer and slightly varied resolution. But instead of enhancing the story, this creative risk feels more like a marketing gimmick, doing little to elevate a plot that’s already gasping for logic.
Housefull 5: Performances
Akshay Kumar tries his best to hold the fort, using his sharp comic instincts and comfort with absurdist humor. But even he seems trapped in a role that feels like a parody of his past characters.
Riteish Deshmukh is serviceable, playing Jalaluddin with his usual buffoonery, though the jokes written for him are repetitive. Abhishek Bachchan returns to the franchise with limited impact, his role had potential but never gets its due.
Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff, both acting legends, are reduced to caricatures in detective roles that lack any real meat. Their chemistry is enjoyable at moments, but the script never gives them room to build real momentum.
The female leads Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, and Nargis Fakhri, barely register. They’re used more for glamour than substance, with little dialogue and zero influence on the plot.
The supporting cast, including Chunky Panday, Johnny Lever, and a cameo by Nana Patekar, have their trademark quirks, but it all feels like déjà vu from earlier installments. Instead of elevating the comedy, they feel stuck in a time warp of outdated jokes.
Housefull 5: Analysis
The biggest problem with Housefull 5 is its writing. While the idea of mixing slapstick comedy with a murder mystery seems novel on paper, the execution is sloppy. The plot is overstuffed, the humor is forced, and the pacing uneven.
The dual-ending concept had promise, but the differences between the two versions feel superficial. Instead of building suspense or rewarding attention, they simply swap out the final reveal. This makes rewatch value low despite the premise.
The film also suffers from tonal confusion, there are sequences meant to invoke thrills, but they’re immediately undercut by fart jokes or irrelevant song breaks. There’s little cohesion in storytelling, and the script often seems unsure whether it wants to spoof the genre or pay tribute to it.
Visually, the film delivers. Lavish cruise sets, vibrant costumes, and grand production design add polish. Cinematographer Sudeep Chatterjee ensures it looks expensive. But like icing on a stale cake, it can’t make the experience satisfying.
The soundtrack, composed by a mix of artists including Yo Yo Honey Singh and Tanishk Bagchi, is passable. The songs are peppy and splashy but lack replay value or lyrical originality.
Ultimately, Housefull 5 feels like a bloated vanity project, too long, too loud, and too confused to be effective.
Housefull 5: Verdict
Housefull 5 is a frustrating watch. It tries to be clever by offering two endings and mixing genres but doesn’t invest enough in the basics of storytelling, character, or humor. It has all the ingredients for an entertaining ride like stars, money, and ambition, but none of the finesse to tie it all together.
If you’re a hardcore fan of the franchise, you might find comfort in the chaos. But if you’re looking for a film that respects your time, your brain, and your sense of humor, look elsewhere.
Housefull 5: Rating
Critics Rating: 2/5
Box Office Rating: 1.5/5
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