Housefull 5: Who Killed the Billionaire?
Housefull 5, the fifth installment of the much-loved slapstick comedy franchise, hit theaters on June 6, 2025. Directed by Tarun Mansukhani and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film carries forward the signature madness and ensemble storytelling that the series is known for. But this time, the creators added a bold twist: two separate endings shown in different versions of the film. This unique approach split audiences into two groups, each witnessing a different killer revealed at the end of the movie. That gimmick worked. It sparked curiosity and repeated viewings, creating a marketing win.
💥 Box Office Explosion
Housefull 5 made a grand opening, collecting ₹23–24 crore net on Day 1. The timing worked perfectly. The movie launched during the Eid weekend, drawing massive family crowds and multiplex footfalls across India. It overtook the opening day earnings of Housefull 4 and even beat the heavily promoted Kesari Chapter 2. Early trade reports suggested a potential ₹100 crore weekend if momentum held strong.
Sajid Nadiadwala’s team already secured ₹135 crore in non-theatrical revenue through digital, satellite, and music rights. These deals helped cover a significant portion of the ₹240 crore production and marketing budget. With just ₹105 crore needed from box office collections to break even, the producers locked in profits early.
🎭 Star-Studded Cast Delivers Chaos
Akshay Kumar returns as the face of the franchise, carrying the comedic weight with charm and timing. Fans welcomed his return to comedy after several dramatic outings. His energy never dips, and he takes charge of every scene with familiar confidence.
Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan step in with strong supporting performances. They bring rhythm and timing to a script that thrives on mistaken identities, double entendres, and quick one-liners. Together, the trio creates a wave of hilarity that rides through the film’s runtime.
Veterans like Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, and Nana Patekar play comically exaggerated police officers, each delivering punchlines with theatrical flair. The casting team made smart decisions. They balanced nostalgia with novelty by introducing Soundarya Sharma, Nargis Fakhri, and Sonam Bajwa. Soundarya, in particular, gained massive attention for her performance in the song “Laal Pari,” which became a viral dance hit.
🧩 Plot: Murder on the High Seas
The movie unfolds aboard a luxurious cruise ship where billionaire Ranjeet Dobriyal celebrates his 100th birthday. During the celebration, he drops a bombshell: three different men might inherit his empire, but only one is the real “Jolly.” The story takes a wild turn when someone murders Ranjeet. The rest of the film spins into a chaotic murder mystery filled with confusion, cross-dressing, disguise-swapping, and non-stop gags.
What sets Housefull 5 apart is its dual-ending twist. The creators released two separate versions—in one, Jolly “A” turns out to be the killer; in the other, it’s Jolly “B.” This narrative trick ignited conversations online and offline. Fans compared notes, debated killer identities, and rushed to catch both endings in theaters. The format turned watching a comedy into a gamified experience.
😂 The Comedy Formula: Still Working?
The film sticks to the Housefull formula—loud jokes, rapid-fire banter, physical comedy, and over-the-top reactions. That works for fans of the franchise. Audiences looking for simple fun and no logic get their money’s worth. Laughs come fast and frequently, and no one waits too long for the next visual gag.
However, critics noted the recycled jokes and predictable punchlines. Many of the gags mimic previous Housefull films. Some scenes stretch too long or try too hard. Without Akshay’s energy and Riteish’s timing, the material might have fallen flat. Critics praised Akshay but questioned the writing’s freshness.
Despite that, audience responses painted a different picture. Social media trended with hashtags praising the movie. Fans called it a “hilarious joyride,” “Akshay’s return to full form,” and “the biggest crowd-pleaser of 2025.” Families flocked to theaters, and many viewers enjoyed watching both versions of the film.
🎶 Music and Promotions: Loud, Catchy, and Effective
The soundtrack features songs by a star-studded lineup: Yo Yo Honey Singh, Tanishk Bagchi, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, White Noise Collective, and Sajid-Wajid. Standout tracks include:
- “Laal Pari”, a dance number that blew up on Instagram and reels.
- “Dil E Nadaan”, a melodious track that provided a rare emotional moment in the chaos.
- “Phoogdi Dance”, used for the promotional flash mobs.
The marketing team went all out. In Pune, Akshay Kumar and Nana Patekar performed a traditional fugdi dance during a mall event. The video went viral, drawing attention to the film’s festive energy. Fans rushed to events in droves, leading to real-time crowd control by the stars themselves.
🎞️ Production Quality & Editing
Housefull 5 boasts slick production. From the cruise ship set design to the costume detail, every scene reflects the franchise’s glossy identity. Cinematographer Ayananka Bose captures the grand scale with bright visuals and vivid color palettes.
The editing team, however, faced the tough challenge of balancing two endings. Some transitions felt abrupt. A few plot jumps clearly aimed to preserve runtime and accommodate both versions. While not seamless, the team managed to keep both versions under 150 minutes.
🧱 Censorship and Audience Suitability
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) gave the film a U/A rating after trimming 11 seconds of suggestive visuals and replacing a few dialogues with cleaner alternatives. The final product stayed well within the bounds of a family entertainer.
📉 Weak Points
While Housefull 5 entertains, it doesn’t evolve. The jokes follow familiar patterns. Some character arcs lack depth. The movie prioritizes noise over narrative. In scenes without Akshay or Riteish, the film sometimes drags. That said, it never claims to be anything other than what it is—pure, high-energy nonsense designed to make you laugh.
✅ Final Verdict
Housefull 5 delivers exactly what it promises—laughs, confusion, chaos, and absurdity. The dual-ending twist refreshes the franchise just enough to make it feel exciting again. Akshay Kumar’s effortless performance anchors the madness, while the rest of the cast throws themselves into the chaos.
For fans of Bollywood comedies, Housefull 5 offers a riotous experience worth watching at least once. For those curious about the killer twist, it offers an excuse to come back again. The film may not win critics, but it wins audiences—and sometimes, that’s enough.
🔚 The Takeaway
- Best for: Families, fans of slapstick, and Akshay Kumar followers
- Avoid if: You want layered storytelling or subtle humor
- Box Office Outlook: Strong opening, high repeat value, potential ₹300 crore gross
- Cultural Impact: Set the trend for dual-ending theatrical releases
Housefull 5 makes no apologies. It goes big, it goes silly, and it goes all in. That’s the franchise’s legacy—and for many viewers, that’s entertainment.
