Housefull 5 Movie Review: Business, Budget, & Public Reactions

The much-anticipated fifth installment in the Housefull franchise, Housefull 5, has hit the big screens with high expectations. Led by Akshay Kumar, the film has generated buzz not just for its star-studded cast but also for its slapstick comedy and extravagant production. However, despite the hype, critical reception has been mixed, with NDTV giving it a harsh 1.5-star rating. This blog delves into the complete story, box office business, cast fees, public reactions, and everything else you need to know about Housefull 5.

Table of Contents

Housefull 5 : Storyline Snapshot

As with every Housefull film, Housefull 5 sticks to its absurdly funny roots. The film revolves around five couples, mistaken identities, rebirths, and an impossible mission to save marriages in royal palaces and haunted mansions. It’s a full-blown cocktail of confusion, comedy, and chaos. Akshay Kumar plays multiple roles, each more ridiculous than the last, joined by an ensemble cast including Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Kriti Sanon, Pooja Hegde, Jacqueline Fernandez, and John Abraham.

The screenplay is a rollercoaster of illogical but intentionally funny sequences that try to keep the franchise’s tone alive. The film attempts to create humor from sheer madness, which may entertain die-hard fans of the series.

Housefull 5 : Star Cast and Their Fees

The film features a massive star cast, each charging a hefty amount, adding significantly to the overall budget.

Akshay Kumar – INR 80 crore
Riteish Deshmukh – INR 15 crore
Abhishek Bachchan – INR 12 crore
John Abraham – INR 20 crore
Kriti Sanon – INR 7 crore
Jacqueline Fernandez – INR 6 crore
Pooja Hegde – INR 4 crore

Total Cast Cost: Around INR 144 crore

These sky-high fees reflect the movie’s ambition to market itself as a mega-multistarrer comedy.

Housefull 5 : Budget & Production Value

Housefull 5 is one of the most expensive comedies ever produced in India.

Production Cost: INR 160 crore
Promotion & Advertising: INR 20 crore
Total Estimated Budget: INR 180 crore

The film boasts grand sets, elaborate dance numbers shot across Europe, and extensive VFX work—especially in sequences involving ghosts, action, and fantasy elements.

Housefull 5 : Box Office Business: Collection So Far

Despite critical panning, Housefull 5 has shown promise at the box office, thanks to franchise loyalty and mass appeal.

Opening Day (India): INR 21.5 crore
Day 2 (India): INR 18.3 crore
Day 3 (India): INR 23 crore (estimated)

Total India Gross (First Weekend): INR 62.8 crore (estimated)

Overseas Collection (First Weekend): INR 24 crore

Worldwide Total (First Weekend): Approx. INR 86.8 crore

Given its massive budget, the film still has a long way to go to be declared a “hit.” The break-even point lies at around INR 200 crore (gross), considering satellite, music, and OTT deals.

Housefull 5 : Picture Story: Scenes that Made Impact

Intro Sequence: Akshay Kumar’s triple-entry scene got loud cheers.
Haunted Palace Comedy: A chaotic scene with John Abraham playing a possessed prince was both hilarious and bizarre.
Underwater Wedding Scene: Shot in Malta, this visually appealing scene looked grand but added little to the plot.
Climax Chaos: The final 20 minutes include high-octane stunts, collapsing buildings, and a tiger chasing all the lead actors.

These scenes are over-the-top, precisely what Housefull fans expect. However, for some viewers, this was too much to digest.

Housefull 5 : Public Reactions: Mixed Bag

Audience Reactions (Twitter/X):
- “Laughed my guts out! Don’t care about logic. Loved it.” – @filmlover23
- “What a disaster! Is this even cinema?” – @seriouscritic
Google User Ratings:
- 3.2/5 (Based on 17,000+ reviews)
YouTube Comments on Trailer:
- “Worst of the franchise.”
- “Finally a film that doesn’t pretend to be intelligent. Just mad fun.”

Clearly, the film is dividing its audience. While loyal fans enjoy the nonsensical humor, critics and logic-driven viewers are left disappointed.

Critical Reviews Round-up

NDTV: 1.5/5 – “Utterly absurd. A waste of talent and money.”
Times of India: 2.5/5 – “Mass entertainment but no soul.”
Koimoi: 3/5 – “Hilarious in parts. Forgettable otherwise.”

Most critics agree on one point: the film lacks logic and coherence but might appeal to fans of the genre.

8. Will It Be a Hit or Flop?

The verdict is still uncertain. Despite negative reviews, Housefull 5 benefits from:

Strong franchise loyalty
A holiday release window
Heavy marketing and satellite/OTT deals

If the film crosses INR 200–220 crore worldwide, it will likely recover costs and turn a profit. However, it faces tough competition from upcoming releases like Pushpa 2 and Singham Again.

Conclusion
Housefull 5 is exactly what it promises to be – absurd, illogical, yet flamboyantly funny. It caters to a specific audience who enjoy over-the-top Bollywood comedies. With huge star power, big money riding on it, and a divisive public response, the film is walking a tightrope. Only time will tell if Housefull 5 becomes another successful chapter in this long-running franchise or an overambitious misfire.

Verdict: Watch it if you’re a fan of chaotic comedy. Skip it if you’re expecting sense or subtlety.