Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 continues the much-loved horror-comedy franchise directed by Anees Bazmee, bringing back the eerie charm, mystery, and humor that made the earlier films such big hits. The movie follows Rooh Baba, played by Kartik Aaryan, a quirky and charismatic man known for his supposed ability to communicate with spirits and drive them away. However, his powers are more performance than paranormal. Beneath his confident, godman-like persona is a clever con artist who takes advantage of people’s fears to make money.
The story begins with Rooh Baba and his loyal but comical assistant, Tillu, moving from town to town, performing fake exorcisms. Their act involves elaborate setups, glowing powders, hidden sound effects, and a lot of drama — enough to convince frightened villagers that they’re witnessing something supernatural. Despite his questionable methods, Rooh Baba has built quite a reputation for himself. People genuinely believe he can handle the dead — even though he’s simply manipulating the living.
Everything changes when Rooh Baba receives an unexpected invitation from a wealthy royal family in Raktghat, a remote part of Bengal. The family’s ancestral palace — a sprawling, decaying mansion filled with long corridors, ancient paintings, and whispers of its dark past — is said to be haunted once again. The name Manjulika, long buried in the family’s history, resurfaces when mysterious events start occurring: chandeliers shatter on their own, portraits fall from walls, and servants claim to hear singing in the dead of night.
The head of the family, Raja Devendra Singh, pleads with Rooh Baba to help them rid the palace of the spirit. For Rooh Baba, it’s the perfect opportunity — a high-profile case that could make him famous and wealthy. Confident that this haunting is just another chance to perform one of his tricks, he agrees to travel to the palace. But what awaits him there is far more real than anything he has ever faked.
Upon arriving, Rooh Baba and Tillu are introduced to a family full of tension and secrets. There’s Mallika (Vidya Balan), a mysterious woman who seems to know more about the haunting than she admits, and Mandira (Madhuri Dixit), an elegant yet enigmatic figure who has a strange emotional connection to the palace. Both women claim to have seen visions of Manjulika and both appear to be haunted — but by different things. Their behavior confuses Rooh Baba, who begins to sense that this time, he might not be dealing with illusions at all.
As days pass, the haunting grows stronger. Furniture moves on its own, the sound of anklets echoes through the corridors, and eerie laughter fills the air at midnight. Rooh Baba tries to use his usual theatrics to impress the family, but the ghost’s presence seems to mock his efforts. His confidence begins to crack when Tillu is attacked by an unseen force. The supposedly fake ghostbuster starts to realize that this spirit may not be an act — and that he might have finally encountered a real ghost.
Meanwhile, flashbacks reveal the tragic past of the Raktghat palace. Many years ago, Manjulika — a court dancer who fell in love with a royal prince named Debendranath — was betrayed and killed in the palace. Her soul, filled with rage and sorrow, was said to have cursed the family, vowing never to leave until justice was done. Some believe the spirit was trapped, others that she still roams the corridors waiting to avenge her death. The film cleverly plays with both legends and doubts, keeping viewers guessing whether the haunting is supernatural or human-made.
As Rooh Baba investigates further, he uncovers layers of deception. Some of the family members have hidden agendas; some even use the ghost story to cover their own misdeeds. Mallika’s erratic behavior and Mandira’s eerie calmness suggest that one of them might be possessed — or pretending to be. Every time Rooh Baba thinks he’s found the truth, a new twist unravels his theories.
The film balances its horror with humor, often using Rooh Baba’s cowardice for comic relief. His exaggerated reactions, desperate attempts to appear brave, and frequent arguments with Tillu bring laughter in between the scares. Yet, as the story unfolds, a darker and more emotional layer begins to emerge. Rooh Baba, who once mocked the very idea of ghosts, finds himself emotionally drawn to the spirit’s pain.
The turning point comes when Rooh Baba uncovers a hidden chamber in the palace — one that contains evidence of a royal betrayal. Manjulika’s death wasn’t an accident or a legend; it was a result of a cruel conspiracy. Debendranath, the prince, was framed and executed, while Manjulika’s body was locked away and buried with shame. Her soul never found peace. The haunting is not merely about revenge — it’s about justice for a woman wronged by power and deceit.
In the film’s final act, the truth about Mandira and Mallika is revealed. One of them is genuinely possessed by Manjulika’s spirit, while the other has been manipulating the situation for her own gain. This twist redefines everything the audience believed until that point. The final confrontation between Rooh Baba and the possessed spirit is both intense and emotional. Instead of using trickery, Rooh Baba appeals to the spirit’s emotions, acknowledging her pain and helping her find closure.
The exorcism scene is beautifully crafted — filled with visuals of fire, music, and memories blending together. Manjulika’s soul finally finds peace after confronting the truth of her death and forgiving those who wronged her. The curse on the palace is lifted, and calm is restored.
In the aftermath, Rooh Baba’s fame spreads even wider. The man who once faked ghosts is now known as the one who faced a real one. But Rooh Baba himself is changed. He realizes that his gift — whether spiritual or psychological — carries real weight. As he leaves the palace, a faint whisper of Manjulika’s voice echoes through the corridors, suggesting that perhaps, the world of spirits still has unfinished business with him.
The film ends on a light but intriguing note, hinting at another mystery waiting for Rooh Baba in the future. The closing scene combines humor and suspense: Rooh Baba cracks a joke about retiring, only for a new client to arrive, claiming their house is haunted — and once again, the famous “Ami je tomar” melody plays faintly in the background, reminding audiences that the spirit of Bhool Bhulaiyaa is far from over
