The latest installment in the popular Bollywood comedy franchise, "Housefull 5," was recently released, garnering mixed reactions from audiences and critics. Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, the film, despite a star-studded cast, has faced criticism for its storyline and comedic style, with many viewers suggesting the filmmakers should cease producing sequels. Some have specifically pointed out an over-reliance on "too many double meaning jokes," leading to a generally lukewarm reception online.

Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), reflected this sentiment. One user posted, “Big budget big stars big banners but all surrounded by double meaning comedy, eye candy actresses no story no baseline #Housefull5 disappointed.” Another tweet likened the film to "that elaichi bite in the biryani,” while a viewer who claimed to have watched it "FDFS" (First Day First Show) stated, "Movie has brainless comedy , too much adult jokes nt a family movie at all. Also its irretated Overall its ⭐/5 ." This user also noted that only the "behind the sceans" footage shown after the movie concluded was good.

Amidst this, lead actor Akshay Kumar, known for his comedic roles and off-screen pranks, was spotted attempting to gauge audience reactions firsthand. He reportedly visited a cinema hall to take reviews, a move for which he was mocked online. One social media user commented, “Things are so bad, Akshay Kumar himself reached outside cinema halls to take reviews of Housefull 5. Looks kinda awkward. Akki bro has been giving back-to-back flops since he got the Indian passport.”

Subsequently, Akshay Kumar revealed he undertook a more elaborate effort to gather public opinion by going undercover. He shared a video on his Instagram handle showing him dressed in baggy jeans, a loose-fitting striped shirt, and the "Killer Mask" from the film, interviewing moviegoers outside a theatre in Bandra, Mumbai. To avoid looking out of place, other men, presumably from his team, were also seen wearing the same mask and asking for reviews. Due to the mask muffling his voice, most people did not recognize the superstar. Some interviewees, unaware of his identity, reportedly praised the comedy, gave the film a thumbs up, and expressed enjoyment of Akshay's performance and the dance sequences. One person even commented on the similarity of his mask to the one used in the movie.

In his Instagram post accompanying the video, Akshay Kumar wrote, "Bas yun hi I decided to wear the killer mask and interview people coming out of the Housefull5 show at Bandra today. Pakda jaane wala thaa end mein but bhaag gaya us se pehle. Mast experience." He indicated he was almost recognized towards the end when a woman was seen recording him. Netizens reacted to his stunt with comments like, “Koi pehchan bhi nahi paaya. Crazy paaji,” and some joking they were "waiting for him to take off the mask like Robert Downey Jr.” Others noted the video appeared unedited, suggesting it was a "fair public review," and remarked that those who ignored him or didn't recognize him must be regretting it. The feedback captured in this undercover operation appeared largely positive, according to the actor's shared experience.

Despite the mixed critical reception, "Housefull 5" had a strong start at the box office. According to estimates from Sacnilk.com, the film collected approximately Rs 55 crore net in India over its first two days. The production house, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, claimed a slightly higher domestic net figure of Rs 56.73 crore for the same period. The film reportedly earned Rs 24.35 crore on its first day (Friday) and saw an increase to Rs 32.38 crore on its second day (Saturday). On its third day, Sunday, June 8, 2025, the film earned around Rs 12.16 crore net across all languages and recorded an overall Hindi occupancy rate of 9.85%.

The ensemble cast of "Housefull 5," directed by Tarun Mansukhani, includes Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Chunky Pandey, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Chitrangada Singh, Fardeen Khan, Johnny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Dino Morea, Ranjeet, Soundarya Sharma, Nikitin Dheer, and Akashdeep Sabir. The "Housefull" franchise, which began in 2010, has historically been one of Bollywood’s most commercially successful comedy series, known for its slapstick humor.

Ultimately, while "Housefull 5" might offer entertainment for dedicated fans of slapstick comedy and Akshay Kumar’s particular brand of humor, it appears to have struggled to connect with a broader audience. Based on the initial reactions, it might not be considered a must-watch unless one is a die-hard fan of the franchise or its lead star.