Bulbbul review: Dimri shines in the horror-drama that embodies ‘hell hath no fury’

Director: Anvita Dutt

Cast: Tripti Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Rahul Bose, Paoli Dam, Parambrata Chattopadhyay

Producer: Anushka Sharma, Karnessh Sharma

Where to watch Bulbbul: Netflix

This Bulbbul Netflix Review is without spoilers.

Bulbbul review - Plot:

A child bride marries into a household of wealthy Thakurs – her husband being almost in his 30s. Promise of a fairytale premise and it seems like one - days are white, nights are red – almost like Laal paar shada shari that married women wear in Bengal. Perhaps that may have been subtle idea behind it. This Bulbbul review will allow you to indulge in a quick overview of what promises to be a throwback to haunted havelis and echoes of secrets down grand corridors.

mystique set within red nights intrigues as stories of chudail that Satya would tell Bulbbul are coming to life as Satya returns after a couple of years of studying abroad. In all years that have passed, ‘badi bahu’ Bulbbul who is married to Indranil, and Paoli Dam’s Bidini, married to specially abled twin of Indranil - Mahendra, have changed – and so has ir relationship. As Satya and Bulbbul grow toger, so does ir bond – eugh for Bidini to sow seeds of hate and jealousy in Indranil’s mind. 

Shortly after, Mahendra is killed in absence of Indranil – while whole world suspects that chudail has done it. But once Satya returns, murders resume. One may suspect that has chudail followed Satya all this while? And what has led to a coy, playful Bulbbul to turn into a completely cold but cunningly smart woman.

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Bulbul review - What works:

Tripti Dimri and Avinash Tiwari reunite – after achingly romantic and painfully tragic Laila Majnu – a refreshing change to watch m in Bhabhi-Devar equation, with Dimri’s Bulbbul changing dynamics as Bulbbul enters haveli. Anushka Sharma's Bulbbul tells story in a dual timeline. Where Bulbbul is grown up, we see re is man to man home, Bulbbul and Paoli Dam’s Bidini make home what it is. flashbacks to Bulbbul and Satya’s childhood, Satya making child bride comfortable in her new home are sweet. But se are moments that makes one wonder – are Bulbbul’s motives a result of a pararmal influence or simply natural, easy bond she has with Satya since y were kids.

Bulbbul is a testimony to producer Anushka Sharma's choice of script and location. re’s a scene where Satya and Bulbbul tell each or goodbyes, all because of external forces deeming existence of ir bond to be illicit. And just as it is in each story – only those involved kw bereavement of separation which in this case can be seen on Bulbbul’s face. Of course, magnitude how y display ir emotion differs here – it’s more read between lines than a rebellious declaration of love.

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And perhaps that is how relationships must have been back n. A child bride and her devar grow up in same house while husband, who’s in his 30s has patiently waited for girl to understand concept of marri and fall in love with her in meanwhile. Thakur’s bror, Bidini’s husband is specially abled so Thakur and Bidini have found comfort in each or’s company. But that seems rar unfair later – what a man can do, a woman will be punished if she even tries.

This Bulbbul review will be incomplete without giving a d to stellar performance delivered by Tripti Dimri. Anushka Sharma’s third outing as a producer has indeed been a charm. While Avinash Tiwary showed promise, Rahul Bose’s character was as brilliant as it could get – he showed a Thakur’s pride and panache with ease. Rahul Bose’s role of Thakur is silent, strong and matured, and yet a romantic as he strives to understand Bulbbul despite gap.

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Bulbul review - What doesn’t work:

idea of a chudail, while well-executed does leave some loopholes. One would have to watch film to understand it – idea that makers want to present is in place, but execution may t be. soothing, pretty aestics more than cover up for fact that inverted feet of a chudail is t one main trait to look for. premise for chudail has been set right from first scene, but by end of it, leaves some aftertaste of doubt. For a horror, it has jumpscares, but eerie low hum in middle of a red night full of excess fog disturbs visuals a little.

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Bulbul review - Last thoughts and verdict:

story is impactful as it connects womanhood and its plights with folklore. Bulbbul cast does a great job - all of m, while Tripti Dimri and Paoli Dam's performances stand out. At crux of it, story remains about love – a woman’s love – and how starkly different it is from a man’s. folklores of a chudail exist all over India. But what are se female pararmal beings afterall? Paoli Dam’s Bidini tries to silence Dimri’s Bulbbul after a particularly tragic event saying “Badi Haveliyon mein bade raaz hote hain”, leading to fury bubbling within Bulbbul – fury that stems from a blossoming love being quashed, from years of silent tolerance and male oppression. And all kw, that hell hath fury, like a woman scorned.

Bulbbul review in a nutshell - Rating: 3.5/5

Disclaimer: This Bulbbul review is t a sponsored review

Watch Bulbbul trailer here:

Promo Im: @kans26 Instagram