Sanket’s review: “Bhoothnath Returns” stumbles despite a promising premise.

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Parth, Boman Irani, Sanjay Mishra

Director: Nitesh Tiwari

Length: 2 hrs and 35 mins

Just when the elections are around the corner, BHOOTHNATH RETURNS pins down its entire premise on the political tantrums and voting importance. Even if it sounds like a promising premise, it stumbles for most of the parts in its overlong time frame. What could have been a fun and heartwarming movie, ends up being mildly catchy and funny.

The film starts without investing much time in character establishing and takes you to a Ghost’s world. The film kicks in with enough humor, especially when the kiddo meets our gold-hearted Bhoothnath. But what lacks in BHOOTHNATH RETURNS is the execution that doesn’t seem convoluted even if it has an implausible story tugged right at the heart. Its not easy to come out with a script that is incredible to be true and yet be convincing. Although we have seen in recent past that how easily Umesh Shukla drew our attention in that heart-winning film called OMG OH MY GOD. Although not everything is wrong with BHOOTHNATH RETURNS as we get to see some nicely attached moments that feels relatable. Some parts are nicely handled like the relationship between the kid and his mom.

But once the political angle comes into the picture, the film neither engages you in the film nor does it completely bore you. It becomes plain, ordinary film where you get to see hilarious Sanjay Mishra providing comical respites and some dragged scenes which involves the cheesy endorsing of importance of voting. BHOOTHNATH RETURNS just needed better writing and directing which could have salvaged lot of clutches that the film goes through.

The songs are good for the film, especially “party toh banti hai”. The dialogues are smart at few places but however they are clichéd at most of the places. Director Nitesh Tiwari couldn’t quite grab your heed with the story that he had and the editor couldn’t chop off the overstepped scenes in both halves of the film.

Amitabh Bachchan nicely portrays his character although he didn’t bring the emotional touch that he usually does. Parth is a complete surprise package. He fits the bill and keeps a complete check on the authentication segment. He acts too good and his bonding moments with Amitabh Bachchan are the best bits in the film. Boman Irani over-acts and that’s all. Sanjay Mishra is hilarious in his initial two scenes.

BHOOTHNATH RETURNS if compared to the prequel, then its much matured in its thought-process, but too low on the connect that it could make with kids and their parents. If you go in for the film, keep your expectations in a strict check.

Rating- 2/5