Vidya Balan to feature as Manjulika in Kartik Aaryan-starrer Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2? What director Anees Bazmee said

In a recent interaction, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 director Anees Bazmee opened up about whether or not Vidya Balan will feature in his film. She starred in the 2007 movie Bhool Bhulaiyaa.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 director Anees Bazmee has opened up about whether or not Vidya Balan will make an appearance in his film. In the 2007 film Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Vidya played the female protagonist - her alter-ego was named Manjulika in the film.

Vidya Balan in a still from Bhool Bhulaiyaa.

In a recent interaction, Anees, who is directing the Kartik Aaryan-starrer, has hinted that Vidya will feature in the film but refused to divulge more details. The film also stars Tabu and Kiara Advani.

Speaking to Mid-Day, Anees said, “If the film is Bhool Bhulaiyaa, she has to be there in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2.” The report also stated Manjulika as the director's ‘favourite character’. About more details of Vidya's role in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, the director said, “Let the rest be a surprise!”

Last year, Vidya Balan had denied that she was part of the film. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, when the actor was asked if she was offered Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, she said, “Let’s just say I am not in the film. So, I am not going to say anything more.”

Bhool Bhulaiyaa was a psychological thriller comedy directed by Priyadarshan and it starred Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Shiney Ahuja, and Ameesha Patel along with an ensemble cast. The film received critical acclaim and was a huge commercial success as well.

Lead actor Kartik Aaryan’s look in the film--the yellow kurta and beaded necklace--is however a throwback to Akshay Kumar’s character from the first film.

The director had said the sequel differs from the original in tone in order to distinguish the two films. In a separate interaction with Mid-Day, he explained, “If we make another psychological thriller, there will be too many comparisons with the first edition. We have upped the ante in horror. There is no buffoonery, we’ve opted [to fill it with] situational comedy instead. And Kartik is extremely natural and comfortable at comedy.”