Housefull 5 Review: Glamour and Adult Jokes Can’t Save the Weak Story

Release Date: June 6, 2025
Director: Tarun Mansukhani
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Sonam Bajwa, Chitrangda Singh, Soundarya Sharma, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Johnny Lever, Chunky Pandey, and many more.

I watched Housefull 5A last night, and I honestly don’t know whether I laughed or got confused more. If you’ve seen the older Housefull movies, you know they are full of silly, crazy comedy. But this one? It tries to mix a murder mystery with adult jokes and chaos—and the result is all over the place.

This time, the movie takes place on a big cruise ship. A rich man is celebrating his 100th birthday and is waiting for his long-lost son. But guess what? Not one, not two, but three Jollys show up claiming to be his son! 😵

And just when things start to get funny, a murder happens on the ship. A body floats in the water, and now there’s a killer among the guests. From here, the film becomes part comedy, part murder mystery, and full madness.

What’s New in Housefull 5?

This film was promoted as the first Indian movie with two different versions released at the same time—Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B. Both are almost the same, except the killer changes in the end.

To be honest, this idea sounded cool at first. But watching two-and-a-half hours of the same movie again just for a 10-minute change? Not worth it.

Comedy or Confusion?

Let me be real—this movie has too many people, too many jokes, and way too much shouting. There are so many characters that even the actors seem confused. The actors were just told to do whatever they know apart from acting, and the camera would keep rolling. And it actually felt like that.

The film is packed with double meaning dialogues, loud scenes, and weird costume gags. Some parts did make me chuckle, especially Akshay Kumar’s comic timing, but most of the jokes felt outdated or just plain uncomfortable. Definitely not a movie to watch with family.

The only thing that worked for me was the suspense. The killer wears a mask, and the background music in those parts was actually good. You can’t guess the murderer until the end, and that twist keeps you interested. But sadly, the path to get there is long and tiring.

Housefull 5 Cast Performance

Here’s how I personally rate the main actors based on their performance:

Akshay Kumar – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Still has great comic timing. Did the best he could with the bad script.

Riteish Deshmukh – ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Feels a bit tired. Did okay but not his best.

Abhishek Bachchan – ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Couldn’t bring energy to the role. A bit boring.

Jacqueline Fernandez & Nargis Fakhri – ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Mostly there for glamour. Not much acting.

Soundarya Sharma – ⭐ (1/5)

Completely objectified. Felt sad watching her scenes.

Sanjay Dutt & Jackie Shroff – ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Forced humor. Didn’t feel natural at all.

Johnny Lever & Chunky Pandey – ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Wasted potential. Barely funny.

Should you watch it or not?

If you’re going to Housefull 5 thinking it’s like the older fun-filled entries in the franchise, you’ll probably walk out disappointed. The film is no longer just comedy—it’s a weird mix of adult humor, a mystery plot, and a big crowd of actors fighting for screen time.

There are some funny moments—yes. Akshay Kumar, like always, gives it his all. Some of the twists do surprise you, and the cruise ship setting is a bit fresh. But overall, the movie feels too long, too loud, and too confusing.

If you’re a big fan of the franchise, maybe give it a try—but don’t expect too much. This is not the same fun ride as Housefull 1 or 2. This one is louder, longer (2 hours 45 minutes!), and not suitable for family watching.

Many said this is Bollywood at its worst—using glamour, bad jokes, and confusion to hide a weak story. Some said it was a “cash grab” using star power and nostalgia.

Scenesamjho Ratings

Ravi Khanna