Housefull 5, the latest instalment in the popular Bollywood comedy franchise starring Akshay Kumar, promises a blend of mystery and laughs but delivers mostly cringe and chaos. Set entirely on a luxury cruise, the film tries to combine a whodunnit murder plot with slapstick comedy, but the result is far from entertaining.

Plot and premise

The story revolves around the mysterious inheritance of 69 billion pounds left by Ranjeet’s patriarch, Ranjit, who dies on his 100th birthday. The catch is that his first son, Jolly, is unknown — and three men, Julius (Akshay Kumar), Jalabuddin (Riteish Deshmukh), and Jalbhushan (Abhishek Bachchan), each claim to be Jolly. As a murder unfolds on the cruise, the hunt for the real Jolly and the killer begins.

Comedy gone wrong

Unfortunately, the humour largely misses the mark. The film heavily leans on sexually explicit jokes, objectification of women, and tired slapstick, which feel out of place in 2025. Instead of clever or situational comedy, audiences are treated to repetitive gags and jokes that seem forced.

The female characters are reduced to eye candy, with scenes focusing more on their looks than their roles. Newcomer Soundarya Sharma’s presence is limited to satisfying the male gaze, which only adds to the film’s dated vibe.

Underused talent and lack of freshness

One of the biggest disappointments is the limited role given to Johnny Lever, Bollywood’s veteran comedian, who is reduced to mere background filler. Meanwhile, stars like Sanjay Dutt, Nana Patekar, and Jackie Shroff make brief appearances, seemingly to add star power rather than comedy.

Akshay Kumar tries to keep the film afloat with his slapstick efforts, but the script recycles characters and situations from earlier Housefull movies, offering nothing new or genuinely funny.

Audience expectations and impact

Modern audiences exposed to global cinema now expect comedy rooted in relatable, everyday scenarios. The glitzy, over-the-top glamour and forced jokes of Housefull 5 fail to connect, resulting in a film that feels artificial and tiresome rather than fun.

The combination of a murder mystery and comedy could have been intriguing, but the excessive gloss and cringe-worthy humour undermine the film’s potential.

Final verdict

Housefull 5 falls short of delivering the fun and laughter that the franchise is known for. Its crass humour, confusing plot, and underutilisation of talented actors make it a disappointing watch. If this is Bollywood’s idea of comedy in 2025, it might be time for a serious national sense of humour check.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Jainik Power Cables, Sacheerome Limited, Victory Electric Vehicles International, Wagons Learning.

The Current active IPO are Ganga Bath Fittings.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.