Released in 2007, Bhool Bhulaiyaa is remade from the 1993 Malayalam horror-thriller Manichitrathazhu, starring Mohanlal.
Priyadarshan was a second-unit director on Manichitrathazhu and was inspired to remake it in Hindi.
Manichitrathazhu was also remade in Tamil (as Chandramukhi), Kannada (Apthamitra), and Bengali (Rajmohol).
Akshay Kumar was Priyadarshan’s first choice for the lead.
The two had previously worked on Hera Pheri, Garam Masala and Bhagam Bhag.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Katrina Kaif were the first female choices for Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Rani Mukerji was also offered but turned down the role of Avni.
Neeraj Vora’s script also drew from the Manoj Kumar-starrer Poonam Ki Raat.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa practically pioneered the modern horror-comedy in Hindi cinema. The film, however, does not have any supernatural elements.
Akshay was on a hit streak when Bhool Bhulaiyaa released. It was preceded by Heyy Babyy and followed by Welcome.
Abhishek Bachchan was offered Shiney Ahuja’s part but he turned it down.
In 1979, Amol Palekar and Neelam Mehra had starred in a shelved film titled Bhool Bhoolaiyaa.
The film was shot at the Chomu Palace in Rajasthan. A royal heritage structure, it presently functions as a luxury hotel.
Vidya Balan trained in Kathak for the dance numbers.
The title song, Teri Ankhen Bhool Bhoolaiyaa, written by Sameer and voiced by Neeraj Shridhar, was a major hit of 2007
Although initially released as a promotional number, it was later included in the film for its growing popularity.
The Bhool Bhulaiyaa tune was copied from K-Pop band JLT’s My Lecon. However, the tune is originally credited to the track Ozero Slez, by the Ukranian duo Potap & Nastja Kamenskih.
The film has minor inaccuracies: Avni lifting a bed by herself or learning to speak Bengali is hastily reasoned. The female silhouette that scares Murari Chacha is also unresolved
Akshay doesn’t make his entry until an hour into the film. Another famous ‘late-entry’ by the actor can be found in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.
Malayalam actor Vineeth plays the would-be groom in Bhool Bhulaiyaa. He also appears as Shashidhar in Avni’s imaginings.
Gujarati actor Jimit Trivedi made his Hindi debut as Chandu in Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) has also been explored in Hindi films like Raat Aur Din (1967) and Karthik Calling Karthik (2010)
In Housefull 3, Akshay Kumar’s Sandy turns into his violent alter-ego Sundi.
Like in the film, Vidya Balan’s real husband is named Siddharth.
A sequel, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, starring Kartik Aaryan, is in the offing.
Bhulaiyaa 2 will be a ghost story and not a psychological thriller.
Akshay Kumar returns to the horror-comedy space with Laxmmi Bomb, releasing on Disney+ Hotstar on November 9.
