Starring Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Tripti Dimri, and Madhuri Dixit, the film offers a fresh perspective on the beloved franchise. In the previous installment, we saw Rooh Baba as a quirky character who could occasionally see ghosts. Now, in the third chapter, he has fully embraced life as a cunning conman. For a 90s kid like me, the original Bhool Bhulaiyaa directed by Priyadarshan and featuring Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan remains unmatched in its charm and brilliance as a horror-comedy. However, let’s set nostalgia aside and dive into this latest addition to the iconic franchise.
Spoilers Ahead
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024) Plot Summary and Movie Synopsis:
Where Does It All Begin?
In “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” Rooh Baba is tasked with doing a fake exorcism for which he will be paid one crore rupees. Why the fake exorcism? About 200 years ago, the King of the palace ordered the killing of his daughter, Manjulika, who later took revenge on her father as a ghost. Manjulika has since been barred behind a padlocked door which is forbidden from being opened.
Years later, Ruhaan finds himself in a position to lift the curse of Manjulika from the palace so that it can be sold. Things start to get interesting when Ruhaan finds similarities with himself in one of the paintings of the palace. It is later revealed by Rajpurohit that the portrait is of a long-dead prince and Ruhaan’s birth is vastly related to putting an end to Manjulika once and for all.
How is Ruhaan Connected to the Empire?
Ruhaan is believed to be the reincarnation of Prince Debendra Nath, a beloved royal who lived 200 years ago. This belief is rooted in a prophecy that on Durga Ashtami, a reincarnated royal will return to end the reign of Manjulika, the vengeful ghost haunting the palace. The Rajpurohit, the kingdom’s head priest, identifies Ruhaan based on his striking resemblance to the late prince. The villagers, desperate to rid the kingdom of Manjulika, pin their hopes on Ruhaan to fulfill the prophecy.
Ruhaan’s arrival is orchestrated by Meera, the king’s daughter. She promises him one crore rupees to help her family reclaim the palace from the ghost’s clutches. Initially skeptical, Ruhaan plays along, making a grand spectacle by celebrating the first night of Durga Puja to signify his return. His presence convinces the royal family to leave the cow shed and move back into the palace, marking a turning point in their efforts to reclaim their heritage.
While Ruhaan doubts the existence of ghosts at first, strange occurrences in the palace challenge his skepticism. Nightmares, eerie sounds, and unsettling events intensify with the arrival of Malika, a woman aiming to restore the palace. Eventually, Ruhaan discovers that three pandits, who have secretly occupied the palace for years, are behind the haunting to keep the family away.
Who is Anjulika?
Anjulika is revealed to be Manjulika’s forgotten sister, a twist uncovered when the Rajpurohit studies the kingdom’s history in the royal library. While the legend centers on Manjulika as the vengeful spirit haunting the palace, Anjulika’s existence adds a new layer to the mystery. Unlike Manjulika, Anjulika’s story remains shrouded in secrecy, with her presence tied to a second hidden door guarded by sacred protections. This door, unlike the first, is believed to contain the true source of the haunting.
The Rajpurohit plays a critical role in uncovering Anjulika’s existence and warning the family about the dangers of opening the second door. His actions stem from a deep understanding of the palace’s history and the spiritual rituals needed to deal with the supernatural. When he advises Ruhaan and the family to wait until Durga Ashtami to open the door, he adheres to the sacred timeline dictated by legend. This timing is believed to be the only opportunity to neutralize Anjulika’s malevolent energy.
Despite Rajpurohit’s warnings, Ruhaan opens the door prematurely. He is driven by the family’s urgency to sell the palace and avoid losing buyers. This impatience highlights the tension between preserving the sacred traditions of the empire and addressing modern-day practicalities. Anjulika’s unveiling complicates the narrative further, casting doubt on whether the palace can ever truly be freed of its dark past.
Why do the Sisters Betray Debendra?
Both sisters, Manjulika and Anjulika, desire the throne. However, their ambitions are thwarted by the presence of their illegitimate brother, Prince Debendra. Despite being born out of wedlock to a servant, Debendra, as a male heir, is seen as the rightful successor. This unfair system fuels the sisters’ resentment, as they are overlooked despite being equally capable.
The sisters’ hatred intensifies until they discover Debendra’s secret. He has no interest in ruling the kingdom and feels trapped in his role as a prince. His passion lies in dancing, which he indulges in secretly at night. Upon realizing this, the sisters see an opportunity. Instead of confronting him outright, they manipulate his vulnerability.
Manjulika orchestrates a public spectacle to disgrace Debendra. She invites their father, the king, to witness his son’s nightly dance, framing it as proof of his unmanly behavior. The king, unable to accept such defiance of traditional masculinity, orders Debendra’s execution in secret. However, this betrayal backfires. As Debendra is burnt at the stake, he curses his sisters. Manjulika becomes infamously known as his killer, while Anjulika is erased from history.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024) Movie Ending Explained:
What does Debendra’s Ghost Seek the Most?
On the night of Ashtami, Ruhaan is tasked with using sacred oil to expose and stop Manjulika. Malika and Mandira appear as possible suspects, with Mandira becoming possessed when the oil is used. However, Ruhaan discovers that neither of them is the true spirit haunting the palace. Instead, they are reincarnations of Manjulika and Anjulika, and the real ghost is Debendra. Ruhaan devises a dramatic plan to free the palace from its curse. He initially sets up the sisters to burn Debendra’s spirit again, following the historical betrayal that led to his death. However, during this process, the sisters realize their purpose is not to repeat their betrayal but to atone for it. Ruhaan facilitates this emotional reconciliation, encouraging the sisters to apologize to Debendra for their actions.
Read More: The 20 Best Indian Movies of 2024
Debendra’s ghost seeks acceptance above all else. During his life, he was rejected for expressing his true self, both as a dancer and as someone who struggled with his identity. This rejection culminated in betrayal and his tragic execution. In death, his spirit remains trapped, longing not for revenge, but for understanding and love. The key to Debendra’s liberation lies in forgiveness. While his sisters are reborn as Malika and Mandira, their purpose is not to harm him again but to seek redemption. Their betrayal scarred Debendra deeply, but their eventual apology became the catalyst for his release. The film highlights that true closure is achieved not through vengeance but through genuine remorse and forgiveness.
Debendra’s spirit symbolizes the pain of being misunderstood and marginalized. For years, he remains bound to the palace, a prisoner of his unfulfilled desire for acceptance. When Ruhaan orchestrates the final confrontation, the sisters confront their guilt and offer Debendra the acknowledgment he always craved. This act of reconciliation breaks the cycle of pain, setting his spirit free and restoring peace to the royal family.
