Amid a packed release calendar, ''Housefull 5'' arrived on June 6, 2025, bringing with it a familiar dose of laughter — this time with a twist.
Blending slapstick comedy with murder mystery, the fifth installment in the franchise takes a bold new turn, while keeping its signature chaos intact. With Akshay Kumar leading a massive ensemble cast, the film has delivered solid box office results, even as it faces critique for its uneven storytelling.
Storyline: A Comic Murder Mystery on a Cruise
Set aboard a luxurious cruise ship, Housefull 5 opens with the murder of billionaire Ranjeet Dobriyal by a masked figure, sparking off an investigation laced with comic misadventures. What makes this entry unique is the release of two alternate versions — Housefull 5A and 5B — each with a different killer, keeping the audience guessing.
Police duo Bhidu and Baba lead the probe, with help from passenger Julius and others on board. While the film kicks off with a strong balance of humour and suspense, the pacing falters post-interval, weighed down by an overcrowded cast and a stretched 165-minute runtime.
Performances: Akshay, Abhishek and Riteish Shine
Akshay Kumar anchors the film with effortless comic timing, supported ably by Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh, who deliver standout moments in the first half. Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff also impress in well-written roles, while Bobby Deol adds freshness with a late but crucial appearance.
Among the female leads — Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, and Jacqueline Fernandez — their roles are largely cosmetic, offering brief comic relief in the first half but fading into the background later.
Veteran Johnny Lever is the only supporting actor with a memorable part, while the rest of the ensemble — Fardeen Khan, Dino Morea, Shreyas Talpade, Chunky Pandey, and others — remain underutilised. Nana Patekar’s short cameo stands out for its sharp humour despite limited screen time.
Direction and Screenplay: Strong Start, Faltering Finish
Directed by Tarun Mansukhani and written by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film works best in its first hour, keeping the tone light and engaging. However, the script struggles to balance its thriller core with the franchise’s signature humour in the second half, leading to a loss of momentum.
The murder mystery twist, though well-executed, arrives a bit late, and the attempt to spotlight each of the 17 lead characters results in narrative bloat. A tighter pre-climax could have helped elevate the film’s impact.
Music: Lacking the Spark of Past Hits
Unlike previous Housefull installments, the music here underwhelms. Only “Laal Pari” stands out, while the rest of the soundtrack, though serviceable, lacks staying power. The absence of a true chartbuster is felt.
Box Office: Akshay Kumar’s Career Milestone
Despite its narrative shortcomings, Housefull 5 has triumphed commercially. Made on a ₹225 crore budget, it opened to ₹37.25 crore globally — the third-highest for a Bollywood film in 2025.
By its first weekend, the film earned ₹130.5–131.5 crore worldwide, surpassing Sooryavanshi and marking Akshay Kumar’s best-ever opening weekend. Domestically, it crossed the ₹100 crore mark within four days, helped by a ₹32.5 crore Sunday and a steady ₹13.5 crore Monday.
Internationally, the film has surpassed 1 million dollars at the North American box office, making it Akshay’s 28th film to do so. He now trails only Shah Rukh Khan (32 films) in the Bollywood million-dollar club, ahead of Salman Khan (25).
Verdict: Fun but Flawed, Yet a Box Office Winner
Housefull 5 offers a unique twist with its dual endings and maintains the franchise’s humour-first spirit. While the film is packed with star power, it suffers from a cluttered script and uneven pacing. Nevertheless, it entertains enough to draw in fans and has delivered big at the box office.
