Remember the bone-chilling performance of Vidya Balan as Manjulika in the 2007 cult classic Bhool Bhulaiyaa? While the audience was left spellbound, it turns out Akshay Kumar’s son, Aarav, was genuinely traumatized! In a recent revelation that is both hilarious and heartwarming, the ‘Khiladi’ of Bollywood shared how a movie character created a six-year-long rift between his son and one of the industry’s finest actresses.
THE MANJULIKA IMPACT
Based on the latest reports and Akshay Kumar’s recent promotional interaction, here are the key numbers and facts surrounding this revelation:
| Category | Details / Stats |
| Duration of Fear | 6 Years |
| The Trigger Movie | Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) |
| Character Feared | Manjulika (played by Vidya Balan) |
| Aarav’s Age at Event | Approx. 5 years old (during initial release) |
| Key Behavior | Refused to meet Vidya or look into her eyes |
| Upcoming Project | Bhoot Bangla (Releasing this Friday) |
BEYOND THE SCREEN
Promoting his upcoming horror-fantasy Bhoot Bangla, Akshay Kumar walked down memory lane to explain just how powerful cinematic impact can be on a child’s mind. He revealed that Aarav was so convinced Vidya Balan was actually possessed that he avoided her for over half a decade. Whenever Vidya visited their home, Aarav would retreat, unable to separate the “nice person” Vidya from the terrifying “Manjulika.”
Akshay noted that he had to “nurture” and constantly reassure his son to break the psychological grip the film had on him. This anecdote highlights the masterclass performance delivered by Vidya Balan—so convincing that even the lead actor’s own family couldn’t escape the chills!
PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER VS. HORROR FANTASY
Akshay drew a sharp distinction between his two ventures in this genre:
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007): A psychological thriller where the “ghost” was a manifestation of a mental health condition (DID).
- Bhoot Bangla (2026): Described by Akshay as a “Disney-like horror fantasy.” It explains the lore of the creature (Vadhusur) and is designed to be kid-friendly, unlike the scarring experience Aarav had with the 2007 classic.
CONCLUSION
While Bhool Bhulaiyaa inadvertently gave Aarav Kumar a six-year-long scare, it cemented Vidya Balan’s legacy as the ultimate queen of horror in Bollywood. As Akshay returns to the genre with Bhoot Bangla, he’s ensuring this time the ghosts are more “Disney” and less “Manjulika”—at least for the sake of the kids in the audience!
