Housefull 5, the latest installment in the hit Bollywood comedy franchise, has taken the box office by storm—crossing ₹100 crore in just four days. Yet, it has also ignited controversy online and offline, with critics accusing the film of sexism and objectifying women. In response, director Tarun Mansukhani has vigorously defended his creation, saying the film is “driven by women” and arguing that the criticism speaks more about audience perception than filmmaker intent.
In This Article:
Plot Driven by Female Characters? Mansukhani’s Argument
Speaking to News18 Showsha, Mansukhani emphasized that the narrative of Housefull 5 hinges on its female characters rather than male heroes. He specifically pointed out Sonam Bajwa’s character, who “backstabs Riteish (Deshmukh) and helps further the plot,” eventually leading to the introduction of the third Jolly, played by Akshay Kumar. Similarly, Soundarya Sharma’s character serves as a major suspect, funneling funds into an offshore account—underscoring active roles for women.
Mansukhani said: “The actual plot is driven by women—to get the money.” He also reiterated that the male cast—Akshay, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh—consists of flawed individuals designed to generate conflict, not to propagate misogyny.
“Scrutiny Equals Success”: The Director’s Take on Backlash
Mansukhani framed the backlash as a sign of the film’s impact, not of its failure. He told Men’s XP: “There’s a lot of scrutiny on social media… scrutiny tends to only happen on successful films. You keep quiet if a film isn’t working at all.”
He invited critics and audiences to choose their perspective: “You can scrutinize it. That’s fine. You’ve paid money to watch it, and so you get to have an opinion on my film.” In other words, the conversation—positive or negative—is a marker of the film’s success.
Cannes Was Never the Goal: A Popcorn Flick
In a separate interview with ThePrint, Mansukhani candidly stated: “I didn’t make Housefull 5 for Cannes.” He described it as a popcorn entertainer meant to make audiences laugh, not as a film aiming for critical acclaim or festival recognition.
He went on to reflect on the characters: “They live in a world that is inherently misogynistic and sexist. But it shouldn’t be seen as the filmmaker’s endorsement.” He pointed out the hypocrisy of audiences who consume sexist humor on WhatsApp and social media yet criticize films for depicting similar content.
This, he added, is true “politically incorrect” humour—the kind audiences laugh at but rarely admit enjoying. Importantly for Mansukhani, this reaction keeps the film in conversation: “Bad publicity is also good publicity.”
Box Office Figures: A Financial Thrill Ride
Despite the moral battleground, Housefull 5 continues to perform strongly at the box office. According to ThePrint, it grossed approximately ₹55 crore net in India within the first two days and reached the ₹100 crore mark in just four days.
More recent data from Men’s XP confirms that over six days, the film raked in ₹126.08 crore domestically and is projected to become Akshay Kumar’s biggest grosser overseas.
Critical Response: Mixed Reviews and Sexism Allegations
While audiences continue to flock in, critics remain divided. India Today gave the film a 2-star rating, stating, “Women are merely on board for their glossy bodies… sexually explicit references masquerade as jokes”.
Other reviews echo similar concerns—not only on sexism but also regarding the franchise’s penchant for toilet humor, blatantly misogynistic tropes, and reliance on objectified female characters as visual treats rather than narrative contributors.
Broader Context: A Pattern in Bollywood
The criticism of Housefull 5 also taps into longstanding debates around gender stereotyping and sexism in Bollywood. From classic films displaying overtly patriarchal themes to modern-day franchises that rely heavily on glamor and innuendo, the industry has been increasingly scrutinized. Academic studies affirm that Indian cinema frequently uses the “male gaze” and objectifies women, making the criticism of Housefull 5 part of a broader conversation.
Looking Ahead: A Franchise at a Crossroads
Housefull 5 signals both continuity and friction within its genre. On one hand, it continues the franchise’s signature loud and comedic style, delivering commercial entertainment to millions. On the other, it now confronts sharply evolving audience sensibilities around gender representation and objectification. Mansukhani stands behind his creation—he calls it a crowd-pleaser, not a cultural manifesto. Ultimately, the success of Housefull 5 will be measured not only by its box office numbers, but by whether the ensuing dialogue prompts Bollywood to re-examine how female characters are portrayed in mass market cinema.
By – Sonali