Movie Review: ‘Housefull 5’
With its fifth chapter, the ‘Housefull’ series sails into familiar waters-but this time, it drops a surprise anchor in the form of a murder mystery. Yes, amid the usual cocktail of confusion, mistaken identities, and rapid-fire one-liners, there’s an unexpected twist: someone’s been killed, and the chaos that follows comes with a trail of clues.
Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, who previously helmed the playful ‘Dostana’, the film stays loyal to the franchise’s DNA-big sets, bigger jokes, and characters constantly bumping into their own bad luck. But Mansukhani also adds a fresh edge. The decision to release two slightly different versions, each with its own ending (‘Housefull 5A’ and ‘5B’), is a clever trick, adding a whodunit flavour but without straying too far from the slapstick core.
Sajid Nadiadwala, the man who’s been steering this ship since the beginning under the banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, once again backs the film with scale and shine. The cruise setting is grand and gives the chaos a glossy playground.
Cinematographer V Manikandan, captures the sunny exteriors and over-the-top interiors with sharpness and colour, keeping the mood light and theatrical.
Written by Farhad Samji and Mansukhani along with screenplay by Nadiadwala, the story of ‘Housefull 5’ sticks to a tested formula: a tangled web of confusion, played out at high speed. The jokes range from silly to self-aware, and while there are few surprises in structure, the rhythm is quick enough to keep things afloat.
The film’s score composer is by Julius Packiam. Different artists who have come together for the songs, add to the energy of the film. None of the songs linger long after the credits, but they hit the right beats during the film-particularly in the dance numbers that keep the momentum going.
Performances are exactly what they need to be. Akshay Kumar is in his element, breezing through chaos with a knowing smile. Riteish Deshmukh delivers his usual comic timing, managing to shine even in the middle of madness. Abhishek Bachchan returns to the series with relaxed charm, comfortably joining the circus.
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Adding heft to the ensemble are Fardeen Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, and Nana Patekar, each playing eccentric roles that amplify the confusion and bring their own brand of comic flair. Fardeen, in particular, seems to enjoy his comeback, while Dutt and Shroff lean into their larger-than-life personas. Patekar’s dry delivery stands out, grounding even the silliest scenes with a surprising punch.
Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, and Sonam Bajwa bring glamour and good energy, even if their roles are written more as extensions of the confusion than standalone characters. Still, they hold their own with comic timing and screen presence.
Chunky Panday is back as Aakhri Pasta, bringing the same madness fans expect. Johnny Lever pops in with a brief but memorable appearance, proving that even a few minutes of seasoned comedy can leave a mark.
In the end, ‘Housefull 5’ is exactly what it promises: a loud, bright, and unapologetically silly entertainer. It doesn’t try to be more than it is, and that’s part of its charm. The twist may be mild, but the energy is high, and for fans of the franchise, it offers another round of joyful nonsense-with a tiny extra layer of mystery.
BizAsia Rating: 3/5
Updated: 07/06/2025
