Overview & Premise
On June 6, 2025, Bollywood’s iconic slapstick franchise returned with Housefull 5, directed by Tarun Mansukhani and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. This fifth installment picks up the same wild tone but infuses it with a murder mystery, setting the action aboard a lavish cruise filled with mistaken identities, double entendres, and a “killer” lurking among the passengers
What truly sets this entry apart? The simultaneous release of two climaxes – known as Housefull 5A and 5B – a creative gambit designed to spark buzz and encourage repeat viewings
2. Star-Studded Ensemble & Performances
The film boasts an impressive lineup:
- Akshay Kumar as its comedic anchor
- Co-stars Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Chunky Pandey, Sanjay Dutt, and many others
Akshay Kumar stands out. Critics have dubbed him the “soul of the film,” and many agree that his timing keeps the madness afloat . He’s supported admirably by Riteish, Abhishek, and Chunky—each delivering on energetic slapstick routines
Prominent voices like Chitrangada Singh and Nana Patekar are praised for adding zest, while veterans engaged in cameo roles bring additional flair
3. Comedy, Chaos & The “Killer” Angle
Fans have responded enthusiastically to the film’s chaotic spirit and murder mystery twist:
- Early reviews call it a “hilarious joyride” full of slapstick chaos
- Many praised the surprise ending, dubbing it a “killer reveal”, and applauding its incorporation into the Housefull formula
- According to Navbharat Times, the audience dubbed the film an “entertainment package” and a “box-office tsunami”, particularly due to its dual endings
However, the tonal balance falters occasionally. Some scenes lean on double‑meaning jokes, which have drawn criticism for being excessive and immature.
4. Critical & Viewer Feedback
The critical response is mixed-to-negative, though audience reception shows flashes of appreciation. Highlights include:
- Positive takes:
- Akshay’s comedic presence keeps the film afloat
- The novel dual climax twist is commended for boosting engagement
- Select actors bring an unexpected gravitas and comedic spark .
- Criticisms:
- Some reviews point to a weak screenplay relying on recycled gags.
- Vulgar humor comments, often called eye‑roll–inducing double entendres .
- NDTV’s Saibal Chatterjee called it “unrelenting absurdity” that often works against itself .
- Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated it 1/5, branding it another loud, formulaic farce.
- The Hindu described it as “sporadically funny and unapologetically corny”
- Filmfare labeled it an “over‑the‑top comedy” relying too much on physical hijinks.
- India Today pointed out Johnny Lever’s sidelining and described the jokes as crass.
5. Box Office in Context
Commercially, Housefull 5 opened big:
- Approximately ₹22–24.35 crore net on Day 1 – the third-largest Bollywood opening of 2025.
- Collected roughly ₹55 crore over its first two days, with a third-day tally of ₹12.16 crore.
- The film currently sits at ₹144 crore worldwide, securing the #4 spot in 2025’s Hindi film box office rankings .
Though it lags behind blockbusters like Chhaava, Raid 2, and Sikandar, the numbers underscore its mass appeal, especially given its summer release and returning fanbase.
6. Franchise Evolution & Audience Takeaway
Ever since 2010’s original, the Housefull series has thrived as a slapstick escapade—even as writing quality dipped over time While the earlier two films were relatively well-received, Housefull 3 and 4 drew criticism for formula fatigue .
Housefull 5 tries to shake things up with a murder mystery and dual endings—but still leans heavily on the same old tropes: eye candy, loud chaos, and crude punchlines .
For die-hard fans, the film likely delivers exactly what they expect—loud, high-energy comedy with familiar faces. The novelty of two endings may tempt repeat viewings. For viewers craving innovation in comedic storytelling, though, the film may seem outdated and lacking in depth.
7. Final Verdict – Should You Watch It?
- ✅ Go for it, if you:
- Love Akshay Kumar’s comedic persona
- Enjoy slapstick, muddled comedies, and aren’t bothered by occasional vulgarity
- Want a fun, easy-going evening at the theater
- ❌ Skip it, if you:
- Prefer smart, coherent storytelling
- Dislike double-entendres and recycled jokes
- Want more than chaos for chaos’s sake
In short, Housefull 5 is a loud, star-studded cruise-capade with a gimmicky twist. It’s likely to satisfy fans seeking mindless entertainment but won’t win over skeptics looking for substance or fresh comedic voices.
TL;DR
| Feature | What works | What doesn’t |
|---|---|---|
| Akshay Kumar | Anchors the chaos with great timing | Script doesn’t always support him |
| Ensemble Cast | Strong support from comic veterans | Underused roles, gender imbalance felt |
| Dual Endings | Fun marketing gimmick | Doesn’t mask underwhelming narrative |
| Comedy Style | Slapstick and loud fun | Double-entendres may feel lazy/crude |
| Box Office | Strong ₹144 cr total収収 | Dropped behind blockbusters |
Final Pitch
If you’re a fan of the Housefull aesthetic—gumbo of slapstick, chaos, masala romance, and carnival cameras—Housefull 5 is your ticket to a packed cinema roar. But if it’s your first dose of Bollywood comedy, be prepared for a wild, unfiltered ride that may leave you craving more story and fewer one-liners.