With the signature Golmaal characters, it keeps the essence of its old self alive, and still manages to give you a new perspective with the different storyline and a couple new entrants like Parineeti, and Tabu. Nana Patekar’s voiceover for the ghost is amazing in the sense that it adds to the hilarity of the situation. Golmaal might not be a piece of cinematic brilliance, but it sure is something you should go to the theatres this week for.

When it comes to Rohit Shetty’s Golmaaal series, there are two kinds of movie buffs - one can’t get enough of it while the other slams it as illogical. If you fall in the former bracket, the filmmaker has a heavy dose of nostalgia for you. If you are part of the second category, Rohit has tried his best to entice you adding elements of horror, melodrama, revenge and even a storyline but that takes an hour to build up. Rohit takes a lot of time to establish this entire set up and there aren’t too many one-liners or jokes to keep you entertained during this period. It is only after the ghosts enter the scene that I saw smiles on faces around me. The supernatural element in the story adds freshness to the narrative and it is interesting to watch Tabu in a different role – she pulls punches with a straight face and talks to spirits. The film that marks Golmaal series debut for Parineeti Chopra, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Tabu, brings back everything you remember and the things that you forgot, from the previous movies. From the blind owner of a house (Paresh Rawal, Golmaal) to Vasooli bhai, south Indian goons (ala Chennai Express) and Pappi bhai (Johnny Lever), Golmaal Again is like a major throwback to not just Golmaal films but a lot more.

The first half is all about Madhav, Laxman and Lucky constantly arguing and fighting with Gopal and Laxman resulting in slapstick gags with a few bizarre ones involving Nana Patekar's voice. It's one of the few consistently rewarding tropes used ending with the Patekar in a brief cameo. The second is far removed from the first as Shetty throws in greed, murder, revenge and melodrama in what's essentially meant to be a laugh riot. It's here that Chopra gets to explain her presence but for a key character with the most elaborate back story of the lot she is also the dullest part of the comedy. Tabu fares only marginally better walking about Ramoji Studio sporting a tattoo - "Your story isn't over yet" whatever that means - and generally looking peeved. That's because Golmaal is ultimately just men want to have some harebrained fun with other silly characters namely Vasuli Bhai (Mukesh Tiwari), Pappi Bhai (Johnny Lever), Babli (Sanjai Mishra), Pappu (Vrajesh Hirjee), Inspector Dande (Murali Sharma) all recurring to play a part in the nonsensical proceedings. Not all their efforts generate laughs. Instead the film is funniest when it isn't afraid to take a dig at its ageing hero who is romantically interested in a woman decades younger than him until he gets a reality check. The commentary on how blind faith breeds fear is lost in the antics. Golmaal dutifully abides by its "No logic, just magic" tagline but the laughs here are not copious and the jokes fleeting.

Golmaal is the screwball comedy franchise that has been kept alive for the last eleven years. Reruns on satellite channels always make you chuckle, no matter from which point you catch the film. Like its previous instalments, this one too has moments of unadulterated fun. The gags alternate between being truly funny and averagely routine but you find yourself laughing uncontrollably because each of the actors here is a delight to watch. Whether it's the lisping Lakshman (Shreyas) or the bully Gopal, who is petrified of ghosts, everyone is so proficient, you can't help but smile at their antics. The dialogue is pedestrian but witty. Of course then you have the additional horror angle thrown in. Drawing inspiration from the South film Kanchana, where a ghost is out to seek revenge, these parts too are treated lightheartedly making you guffaw at situations that you may have seen many times over. However, in the second half, when the actual plot is introduced, proceedings get slightly dull. If you are looking for substance, then this one has no logic, only magic. But, if you're looking to just laugh and be merry, Golmaal will again do the trick.