With an illustrious career marked by a captivating portrayal of the tormented Manjulika in “Bhool Bhulaiyaa” over a decade ago, Vidya Balan’s possible return to the franchise in “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” has become the subject of excited speculation among fans and industry insiders. In 2007, Balan’s performance as a woman grappling with dissociative identity disorder became a defining moment in her career, etching the character of Manjulika in the memories of audiences everywhere. With the spotlight firmly on her potential comeback, the air is rife with one prevailing question: will Vidya Balan once again assume the enigmatic role that mesmerized viewers all those years ago?
Although celebrated actress Tabu filled the mysterious shoes of Manjulika in the franchise’s second outing in 2022, buzz surrounding the third chapter now strongly hints at Balan’s re-entrance. Anees Bazmee, the director at the helm of “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3,” is currently orchestrating preparations for the commencement of the horror-comedy in the vibrant city of Mumbai, slated for the initial week of March. Details on Balan’s character remain tightly under wraps, fueling further intrigue as to the nature of her role alongside rising star Kartik Aaryan in the upcoming sequel.
An inside source connected to the project reports that the offer Bazmee extended to Balan was met with enthusiasm, as she provisionally accepted the part upon hearing his pitch. Currently, discussions regarding scheduling and financial terms are being fine-tuned. Having previously worked with Bazmee on the film “Thank You,” where she appeared in a brief cameo, Balan is reportedly eager to collaborate with him once more on a substantive project.
A key detail to emerge from the creative team is the confirmation that Balan’s character in the third installment will, much like her legendary role of Manjulika, be conversant in Bengali. This linguistic aspect is deliberately intended to stoke the curiosity of potential viewers around whether or not Balan will indeed be resurrecting her iconic role. In a similar vein, in “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2,” Aaryan’s character, Rooh Baba, also interacted in Bengali in the concluding sequences of the film. However, it’s been teased that his return will feature a fresh twist on his previous persona.
The narrative backdrop for “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” is set to be the culturally rich and diverse state of West Bengal. To accurately represent this setting, the crew will construct a set in Mumbai that mirrors the interior of a typical Kolkata residence for the movie’s opening schedule. While initial scenes shot here will focus on lighter moments, the essence of the film’s action is scheduled to unfold during the following phase of production. The crew plans to venture to a quaint town in West Bengal to capture pivotal scenes integral to the storyline. Bazmee’s objective is to maintain an uninterrupted start-to-finish filming timeline, optimizing the movie for a high-profile Diwali release.
In anticipation of this ambitious project, fans eagerly await confirmation of Vidya Balan’s involvement and the capacity in which she will draw viewers into the eerie, laughter-infused world that “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” promises. Whether she will reprising her role as the enigmatic Manjulika or captivating audiences with an entirely new character is a question that continues to stimulate discussion and enthusiasm across the film industry and among the franchise’s ardent followers. With Balan’s stellar reputation and the creative prowess of Bazmee, the upcoming installment is poised to potentially revive the chilling delight and comedic allure of the beloved series.
