, June 11 — Amidst a season brimming with high-profile releases, ‘ Housefull 5 ‘ arrives as a fresh entry that promises laughter with a twist. Released on June 6, 2025, this Akshay Kumar-starring comedy thriller adds a new flavour to the well-known franchise. As audiences and critics turn their attention to its performance and reception, all eyes are on its impact. Let’s explore how the movie measures up in both entertainment and box office numbers.
A Premise with Two Different Prints
Set on a lavish cruise, the story kicks off with the mysterious murder of billionaire Ranjeet Dobriyal at the hands of a masked assailant. Chaos follows, staying true to the franchise’s signature blend of slapstick humour and comic confusion.
Police officers Bhidu and Baba dive into the investigation, while Julius joins forces with other passengers to uncover the truth. The suspense deepens with a twist- two alternate versions of the film, ‘Housefull 5A’ and ‘Housefull 5B’. Collectively, the story offers different killer reveals, leaving viewers guessing until the final frame.
Neat Humour but Slow-Paced Storyline
The movie kicks off with promise, striking a lively balance between comedy and suspense. In the first half, Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh shine through. Their timing, expressions, and witty one-liners carry the narrative with ease. Nostalgia is woven cleverly, recalling iconic bits like ‘Prada ka beta Gucci’ and even reviving the monkey from earlier instalments, much to fans’ delight.
Adult humour finds its place too, handled with restraint and smart writing. The early segments remain crisp and engaging. But as the interval approaches, things begin to slip. The plot feels stretched. After the break, the grip loosens. Momentum fades as the screenplay struggles to manage the massive cast. The attempt to give each character a share of the spotlight leads to bloat, pushing the runtime to 165 minutes.
Despite all the effort, several characters end up feeling like fillers, appearing briefly with minimal impact. Just before the twist, the pace picks up again. The twist lands well, and Bobby Deol’s late appearance injects some freshness. A smart reveal involving Abhishek Bachchan adds to the intrigue.
The climax manages to be both unexpected and amusing. The franchise’s usual tone, fun beyond logic, remains intact, though this time a touch of logic joins the party. Still, the overstuffed cast and excessive length dilute the overall experience. If the pre-climax stretch had been tighter, the film could have truly lived up to the makers’ tall claims.
A Huge Star-Studded Cast in the Lead
With a staggering ensemble of 17 lead actors, ‘Housefull 5’ carries a weighty cast. Yet, it is Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff who leave the strongest impression. Both are offered well-crafted scenes and deliver them with seasoned flair. Akshay maintains his dominance with effortless humour, driven largely by his eccentric expressions. Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan also make their presence felt through sharp comic timing.
The female leads – Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, and Jacqueline Fernandez – serve primarily as visual highlights. While they contribute a few amusing moments in the first half, their roles gradually fade as the narrative progresses. Their impact remains confined to their glamour appeal.
Among the supporting cast, Johnny Lever stands out as the sole performer with well-written scenes and effective punchlines. Others, including Fardeen Khan, Dino Morea, Shreyas Talpade, Nikitin Dheer, Chitrangada Singh, and Chunky Pandey, are largely under-utilised. Shreyas Talpade is nearly invisible. Fardeen Khan manages a few decent moments, though without lasting effect.
Nana Patekar’s cameo is a clear standout. His entry is impactful, commanding attention despite limited screen time. Even in a serious tone, he introduces a fresh layer of humour. Bobby Deol, appearing towards the end, adds an unexpected twist to close the character lineup.
Music, Screenplay, and Direction
Sajid Nadiadwala handles the story and screenplay, while Tarun Mansukhani takes charge of direction. Their collaboration shows strength in the first half, maintaining a light, engaging rhythm. However, the second half struggles with consistency.
Balancing a murder mystery within a comic framework proves challenging. The narrative loses its grip as it tries to manage both genres.
Music, a trademark of the ‘Housefull’ series, falls short this time. Unlike past chart-toppers like ‘Aapka Kya Hoga (Dhanno)’ or, ‘Anarkali Disco Chali’ only ‘Laal Pari’ leaves a lasting impression. The remaining tracks are enjoyable but forgettable.
Box Office Earnings: Akshay’s Historical Achievement
Backed by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, ‘Housefull 5’ was made on a budget of Rs 225 crore. It opened with a robust global earning of Rs 37.25 crore, securing the third-highest opening for a Bollywood film in 2025. Over the first weekend, the film collected between Rs 130.50 crore and Rs 131.50 crore worldwide. The figure surpasses ‘Sooryavanshi’ (Rs 118 crore) to mark Akshay Kumar’s biggest weekend yet.
Within four days, the comedy thriller entered the Rs 100 crore club domestically. After drawing Rs 32.5 crore on Sunday, it maintained momentum with Rs 13.5 crore on Monday, taking the total India box office tally to Rs 101 crore.
On the international front, the Indian film crossed the USD 1 million mark at the North American box office. This milestone marks Akshay’s 28th film to do so, further strengthening his overseas track record.
According to trade analyst Nishit Shaw, Akshay stands just behind Shah Rukh Khan in the million-dollar club rankings. While Shah Rukh leads with 32 films, Akshay holds second with 28, edging past Salman Khan, who has 25 films on the list.
Verdict
Akshay Kumar starrer ‘Housefull 5’ features two alternate versions, subtitled 5A and 5B. Though the film delivers neat humour, it suffers from a sluggish story pace. The amazing blend of comedy and thriller boasts a massive star-studded ensemble in this film. However, not all are meaningfully utilised. Despite narrative flaws, the Nadiadwala production has struck gold at the box office, crossing INR 100 crore domestically and USD 1 million in North America. Marking Akshay’s 28th entry in the million-dollar club, the movie stands as both a significant highlight in his career and a gem for Indian cinema.
