The ancestral palace and its bhoot were first born in Malayalam (Manichitrathazhu) 14 years ago. The psycho-thriller then took rebirth in other South Indian tongues (Aaptamitra, Kannada) and (Chandramukhi, Tamil). Now, it’s Priyadarshan’s turn to take the shrink and the dancing ghost to Bollywood.

Ah, comparisons! Sorry Priyadarshan, old is still gold. Akshay’s wacky psychiatrist is no match for the original eccentric played by Mohanlal. And Vidya Balan’s Avni fails to match steps with Shobhana’s national award-winning Nagavalli. There are no major variations from the Malayalam version (except for the North-Indian setting and the bhoot’s Bong connection), still comparisons won’t work in Priyadarshan’s favour.

But of course, Bhool Bhulaiya will be a different treat for a first-time viewer. A pinch of mythology here and a chunk of science there make for an interesting watch.

The story is set in a village which is yet to shake off its Maharaja moorings.

The undisputed haweli of horror in the area gets some new inhabitants — urban couple Shiney Ahuja and Vidya who refuse to buy the superstitious theories of their folks. But then crockery and furniture begin to fly, and Doctor Akshay lands from America to fix things.

A well-shot film, Bhool Bhulaiya is definitely notches above the regular Friday fare. Watch it if you have missed the ‘predecessors’. But give me the original anyday.