The haunting returns with 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3'

Vidya Balan, Kartik Aaryan star in this scarier-than-before third instalment

On Friday, the first teaser for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 dropped, giving fans a glimpse of what's to come on November 1, and it's safe to say—things are about to get scary. Directed by Anees Bazmee, who helmed the second instalment, this upcoming film is set to bring back old faces and new terrors.

The highlight of the teaser is the grand return of Vidya Balan as the terrifying Manjulika. After her chilling portrayal in the original 2007 film, fans have been eagerly waiting for her to step back into the role. And she does so in dramatic fashion. The teaser opens with the spine-tingling audio of Ami Je Tomar, a haunting melody from the first film. The familiar tune gives way to a terrifying image of Vidya's character lifting a chair - reminiscent of the iconic bed-lifting scene from Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Her scream? Let's just say it's not something you'll soon forget.

Meanwhile, Kartik Aaryan is back as Rooh Baba, our resident ghost hunter, and he's tasked with capturing none other than Manjulika herself. "The world is utterly foolish to fear ghosts," he says with a confidence that, we all know, is likely to crumble once he crosses paths with Vidya's demonic alter ego. Alongside him is Bad Newz actor Triptii Dimri, who plays Kartik's love interest, adding a touch of romance to all the supernatural chaos. Though there were rumours of Madhuri Dixit joining the cast, she remains a mystery for now, as the teaser offers no clues of her involvement.

Aakash Kaushik is once again at the helm of the story, screenplay, and dialogue, promising more chills and thrills. Judging by the teaser, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 seems to lean more heavily into horror than comedy, a shift in tone that could tap into the same genre-bending success of films like Stree 2. If Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2's box office success is any indicator, this third instalment could follow suit. The 2022 film made a whopping INR 1.85 billion at the domestic box office, a huge feat for an industry just recovering from the pandemic.

Speaking of hits, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 won't be arriving without competition. The film is set to clash with Singham Again, the latest in Rohit Shetty's cop universe. Starring Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Ranveer Singh, and Akshay Kumar, Singham Again is loaded with stars and action. But if Bhool Bhulaiyaa has proven anything over the years, it's that its particular blend of horror and comedy has its own loyal fan base. Plus, with a return to its roots, Vidya's Manjulika reigniting the terror, there's plenty of intrigue surrounding the third chapter.

To keep things fun, Kartik shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes video from the filming, showing the lighter side of the movie-making process. But make no mistake, this time around the story dives into the darker side of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa universe. The teaser shows ominous images - burning paintings, eerie music, and that infamous red door, which is back and seemingly worse than before.

As Kartik's Rooh Baba ventures deeper into the haunted world, we're left wondering how his story will intertwine with Manjulika's revenge. And while Triptii's role in the love story adds a human touch, the film is clearly more concerned with the supernatural war between Manjulika and Rooh Baba.

If the nearly two-minute-long teaser posted by T-Series is any indication, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is setting the stage for an electrifying showdown that will likely keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Chills, laughs, and maybe a few screams await those who dare.