Akshay Kumar’s much-anticipated Housefull 5 has sparked widespread controversy since its June 6, 2025 release.
The film, directed by Tarun Mansukhani and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, features an ensemble cast including Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, and Sanjay Dutt.
Vulgar Content Dominates Narrative
The film has drawn severe criticism for its excessive use of double entendre and objectification of women. Critics noted that director Tarun Mansukhani and writer Farhad Samji relied heavily on crude jokes involving private body parts to generate humor.
The movie includes disturbing sequences where female actors crawl through tunnel-like spaces, with cinematography deliberately focusing on their bodies in what critics called “disgusting” objectification.
Johnny Lever, typically a reliable comedian, has been reduced to delivering crass material, while the female cast members were primarily used for “screen presence and skin show” rather than meaningful roles. The film features uncomfortable jokes about bodies and inappropriate references that suggest a complete lack of creative comedy writing.
Critics Call It “Embodiment of Everything Wrong”
Entertainment reviewers have been unanimous in their harsh assessment. Firstpost described the film as “the embodiment of everything wrong with Bollywood comedies today,” criticizing its inability to balance bizarre plotting with genuine humor. The Indian Express gave it a mere 1.5 stars, calling it “utterly absurd”.
Gulte awarded the film just 1.75 out of 5 stars, describing it as “louder, cruder, crassier, more chaotic, and more senseless than expected”. Critics emphasized that the film’s approach to comedy through objectification represents a significant step backward for Indian cinema.
Despite the critical backlash, some fans on social media have praised Akshay Kumar’s comic timing and the film’s suspense elements. However, the overwhelming consensus from professional critics suggests Housefull 5 has failed to deliver meaningful entertainment while crossing boundaries of decency.
Will this harsh criticism force Bollywood to reconsider its approach to comedy filmmaking?