Housefull 5

Housefull 5: A Loud Cruise Full of Jokes, Crude Humor, and Messy Twists

Housefull 5, the fifth entry in the popular Housefull series, arrived in theaters on June 6, 2025. It promises a bigger cast, louder laughs, and a more expensive-looking setup than earlier films. Tarun Mansukhani directs, with Sajid Nadiadwala producing under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. This time, the movie mixes slapstick comedy with a murder mystery, all set on a luxury cruise ship.

The cast is packed with familiar faces, including Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Jackie Shroff, and Chunky Panday. Nana Patekar shows up in an extended cameo. The film also features Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangada Singh, Soundarya Sharma, and more in supporting roles. The screenplay comes from a group of writers, including Farhad Samji. The glossy cinematography leans into the cruise ship’s size and shine.

One big hook sets Housefull 5 apart: it has two versions, Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B, each with a different ending. Theaters can play either one, sometimes without telling viewers which one they’ll get. It’s meant to push repeat viewing, but it’s also one of the most argued-about parts of the release.

Plot Overview: Fake Heirs, Big Money, and Nonstop Confusion

The plot starts with the death of billionaire Mr. Dobriyal. His fortune is supposed to go to his long-lost son, Jolly. The problem is, more than one man claims he’s the real Jolly. Several impostors arrive on a huge 20-story cruise ship, where a birthday celebration is planned for the late billionaire.

From there, it’s classic Housefull chaos. The men (played by Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, and others) lie, compete, and trip into one misunderstanding after another. Then a murder takes place onboard, and the movie shifts into a whodunit setup with a long list of suspects. The story throws in double-crosses, swapped identities, wild action bits, and a steady stream of convenient accidents as the ship moves toward a loud final stretch.

Because of the two endings, different audiences leave with different answers about the heir and the killer. The idea sounds fun, but it can also feel like a trick, not a treat.

Performances: Big Names, Thin Material

Akshay Kumar stays close to the kind of part he’s played in the franchise before, the loud, frantic guy who keeps the energy high. He brings strong physical comedy and easy charm, but even that can’t fully cover for how often the film falls back on cheap jokes. Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan come off better in a few scenes, mostly because their timing is sharper. Riteish’s straight-faced reactions land well, and Abhishek adds a calm, silly vibe that works in the middle of the madness.

The women, including Jacqueline Fernandez and Nargis Fakhri, don’t get much to do beyond looking glamorous and getting pulled into misunderstandings. Several scenes lean into objectifying humor, which feels outdated. Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff appear in roles that seem added for familiar fan service. Nana Patekar’s short appearance brings some weight and focus for a moment, mostly because his screen presence cuts through the noise.

With so many stars sharing space, the movie rarely lets anyone stand out for long. A lot of characters end up feeling like background decoration in an overcrowded setup.

Direction and Technical Side: Flashy Looks, Shaky Control

Tarun Mansukhani tries to keep the film visually bright and busy. The cruise ship setting helps, with grand halls, pool parties, and shiny interiors that look costly. On the surface, it’s a good-looking movie.

The editing is another story. It cuts quickly and often, pushing speed over clarity. Some scenes feel messy, and the camera movement can add to the disorder instead of making the comedy sharper.

The songs and background score stay loud, with remixes and dance tracks that break the flow more than they help it. The dialogue relies heavily on double meanings, toilet jokes, and old stereotypes. For a 2025 release, that choice can feel tone-deaf. The murder mystery angle could have added real tension, but it gets buried under slapstick and shouting, so it never becomes truly gripping.

What Works: A Few Solid Laughs and a Familiar Comfort

Housefull 5 still has moments that hit. Some physical gags work well, especially when Akshay is in full motion. The back-and-forth between Riteish and Abhishek also brings a few honest laughs. If you like loud masala comedy and don’t care much about logic, the movie can feel like easy, brain-off viewing.

Fans of the franchise may enjoy seeing the usual formula turned up with a larger budget and more celebrity faces. The two-ending release also gives people something to compare after the show, which can keep the chatter going.

What Doesn’t: Crude Humor, Crowded Story, and a Weak Mystery

Reviews have mostly been harsh, with many critics placing it around the 2 to 2.5-star range. The biggest complaints are its vulgar jokes, sexual innuendos, and the way it treats female characters. The film often mistakes volume for comedy, and the result can feel more tiring than funny.

The mystery plot doesn’t get enough care, so the payoff isn’t strong. The pacing swings around, and the story keeps piling on characters and twists without making them matter. Many viewers also felt the dual-ending gimmick made the experience less satisfying, since your version might feel like the “wrong” one compared to what others saw.

Audience response is split. Some people enjoyed the chaos and high energy, and the movie reportedly opened well at the box office (around Rs 23 crore on day one). At the same time, social platforms and Reddit threads have been harsh, with plenty calling it one of the weaker big releases of 2025.

Final Verdict: A Noisy Franchise Entry That’s Easy to Forget

Housefull 5 delivers what the series is known for: loud comedy, a long runtime, big sets, and constant confusion. It puts star power and spectacle ahead of storytelling, and the humor often leans on crude, dated beats. The two-version ending is a bold idea, but it doesn’t fix the bigger issue; the script still feels scattered.

If you love the Housefull style and want mindless chaos on a big screen, you might have fun for parts of it. If you want clever writing, a tight mystery, or jokes that feel fresh, this cruise ride doesn’t offer much beyond noise.

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