Bollywood’s favorite comedy series is back with Housefull 5, set for a June 6, 2025 release. Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, the fifth installment reunites familiar faces Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh, joined by an ensemble cast. With the franchise celebrating its 15th anniversary, the new trailer that has just been out has created buzz not only for high-octane gags and opulent visuals, but also for interesting homages to older Indian films.

A High Seas Murder Mystery

Departing from its usual slapstick format, Housefull 5 adds a suspense element to the comedic mayhem. Set aboard a high-end cruise liner where a mysterious killing forces 14 characters into suspicion mode, the offbeat cast tries to find its way through confusion, misdirection, and chaos even as the central mystery deepens with every passing moment.

Complementing the pandemonium is a subplot with three young men, who all pose as the legitimate heir to the quirky Papa Ranjith’s \$69 billion estate. Their antics unleash a chain of absurd tests and mishaps, propelling the film’s trademark comedy while further entrenching the enigma.

Drawing Parallels: Lal Americayil and Waris

Soon after the teaser’s release, social media users and cinemaphiles started comparing it to two all-time Indian classics: the 1989 Malayalam film Lal Americayil and the 1969 Hindi classic Waris.

In Lal Americayil, directed by Sathyan Anthikad, a rich man pretends to die and places an ad for his lost son. The twist? Three men turn up, each one purporting to be his lost child. The movie, featuring Mohanlal and Prem Nazir, unfolds as a light-hearted probe into identity and inheritance remarkably parallel to Housefull 5’s inheritance plot.

Similarly, Waris, a Hindi adaptation of the Tamil movie Naan, is also about royal succession. When a prince disappears, three impostors try to stake claim to the throne, and royal confusion and comical tests follow reminiscent of the confusion over inheritance in Housefull 5.

A Familiar Plot in a New Package?

Though Housefull 5 maintains the franchise’s melodramatic humor, fans and reviewers comment that the inheritance plot point and mistaken identity cliche are similar to previous films. Whether or not these similarities are tribute, accident, or imaginative reinterpretations, viewers will discover when the movie navigates into theatres this June.

With its blend of nostalgia, contemporary style, and ensemble mayhem, Housefull 5 guarantees a summer blockbuster filled with laughter, intrigue, and a dash of déjà vu.