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Bollwyood's leading
man, Akshay Kumar, breaks controversial new ground in his latest Hindi release,
Bhool Bhulaiyaa.  | | Akshay
Kumar in Bhool Bhulaiyaa |
In
a role challenging centuries of superstitions and beliefs widely held in India,
this psychological thriller is being released by Eros International in the UK
cinemas to coincide with the nationwide Eid celebrations. As
Akshay Kumar's career reaches greater heights, this evolving star continues to
display fearlessness in mastering various film roles.
They
not only push his own boundaries as one of Bollywood's most accomplished
actors, but also challenge the norms and conventions of film-making,
as well as human beliefs.
Such
ambitions are perfectly observed by his role in Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Directed
by award-winning Priyadarshan, of Dhol (2007), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Chup Chup Ke
(2006) and Malamaal Weekly (2006) fame, Bhool Bhulaiyaa teams Akshay Kumar with
a host of other stars from the creme of Bollywood's new 'brat pack'. Filmed
against the spectacular backdrop of Jaipur, Bhool Bhulaiyaa is set in a small
Rajasthani village, steeped in superstition and conservatism. Badri
(Manoj Joshi) heads a Brahmin family whose ancestral palace is believed to be
possessed.  | | Akshay
Kumar in Bhool Bhulaiyaa |
On
returning from America, Badri's son, Siddharth (Shiney Ahuja) and daughter-in-law,
Avni (Vidya Balan) decide to spend a month in the palace, despite family objections.
As unnatural
events begin to unfold and demons begin to surface within the psyche, a motley
crew of black magicians and witch doctors are called upon to perform an exorcism
of the evil spirits. But
these age-old conventions are challenged by the arrival of a psychiatrist from
America, Dr Aditya Shrivastav (Akshay Kumar), and friend of Siddarth, who uses
modern analytical techniques to find an answer. Within
the traditional conventions of Bollywood filmmaking, Bhool Bhulaiyaa intelligently
challenges ancient and deep rooted belief systems that continue to influence large
parts of India and the developing world. Blending
thrill with humour revealing undiscovered dimensions of human psychology, the
film introduces the arguments of reason versus emotion and science versus superstition.
Destined
to be another blockbuster, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, is predicted to open to packed auditoriums
as the Eid celebrations begin in full swing this week.
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