Mastiii 4, the latest installment in the long-running adult comedy franchise, has arrived in theaters bringing back the familiar trio of Vivek Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh, and Aftab Shivdasani. This review analyzes whether the film recaptures the magic of the earlier installments or proves that some franchises are better left in the past.
Key Takeaways
- Mastiii 4 continues the franchise’s signature raunchy humor but fails to innovate
- The film earned ₹2.5 crore on opening day, matching the disappointing performance of Great Grand Masti
- Critics note the comedy feels forced and outdated despite the cast’s efforts
- The franchise’s future remains uncertain despite a post-credits tease for another sequel
Mastiii 4 Returns: More Mayhem, Mixed Results
The Masti franchise returns after nearly a decade with Mastiii 4, reuniting Vivek Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh, and Aftab Shivdasani for another round of marital misadventures and boundary-pushing humor. Released on November 21, 2025, and directed by Milap Zaveri, the film aims to recapture the cheeky spirit that made the original 2004 film a surprise hit. But with nine years since the poorly-received Great Grand Masti, does this new installment learn from past mistakes or repeat them?
Early indicators suggest a challenging road ahead. The film opened to modest box office returns of approximately ₹2.5 crore on its first day , matching the disappointing start of its predecessor despite years of franchise evolution and audience expectations.
Film Specifications
| Title | Mastiii 4 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 21, 2025 |
| Director | Milap Milan Zaveri |
| Runtime | 2 hours, 24 minutes |
| Main Cast | Vivek Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani |
| Supporting Cast | Tusshar Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Genelia Deshmukh |
| Setting | United Kingdom |
| Box Office Day 1 | ₹2.5 crore (India net) |
Critical Reception: A Franchise Running on Fumes
The critical response to Mastiii 4 has been largely negative, with reviewers noting that the franchise’s formula has worn thin over time. The consensus suggests that what once felt cheeky and inventive now comes across as tired and repetitive.
Loud But Not Funny
The film has been described as “loud, lewd, and painfully lazy” by critics who argue that nostalgia alone can’t save a franchise that’s running on fumes . The humor, which was once a hallmark of the series, now feels like a “forced joke stretched far past its expiry date” according to one assessment .
This sentiment is echoed across reviews, with another critic noting that “the jokes collapse faster than the marriages at the centre of the film” . The writing leans heavily on crude humor but forgets the essential element of being genuinely funny, resulting in a comedy that triggers more headaches than laughter .
Performance Highlights and Lowlights
Among the cast, Riteish Deshmukh emerges as the sole performer who seems “genuinely committed to making this universe work again” . His comic timing remains sharp, though the material offers him little truly fresh to work with .
Vivek Oberoi shows “fleeting glimpses of the effortless charm he once brought to lighter roles” but is ultimately buried under “forced punchlines and exaggerated reactions” . Aftab Shivdasani, despite understanding the franchise’s tone, comes across as “the most stranded” of the trio .
The supporting cast, including typically reliable comedians like Arshad Warsi and Tusshar Kapoor, are reduced to “noisy caricatures” who shout their way through scenes rather than relying on timing or nuance .
Box Office Analysis: A Slow Start
Mastiii 4 faces an uphill battle at the box office, with early numbers indicating a lukewarm response from audiences.
Opening Day Performance
The film earned approximately ₹2.5 crore on its opening day in India . This places it in direct competition with Farhan Akhtar’s “120 Bahadur,” which launched on the same day with similar numbers .
The opening represents a significant decline from Grand Masti (2013), which opened at ₹12.5 crore , but matches the disappointing start of Great Grand Masti (2016), which also registered approximately ₹2.5 crore on its first day .
Franchise Comparison
| Film | Release Year | Opening Day | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masti | 2004 | N/A | Hit |
| Grand Masti | 2013 | ₹12.5 crore | Super Hit |
| Great Grand Masti | 2016 | ₹2.5 crore | Flop |
| Mastiii 4 | 2025 | ₹2.5 crore | TBD |
The film registered an overall Hindi occupancy of 9.98% on opening day , with morning shows seeing particularly low turnout at just 5-6% occupancy . Industry observers note that the film’s performance will heavily depend on word-of-mouth and spot bookings over the weekend .
A Film for a Specific Audience
Despite the critical panning, it’s worth noting that Mastiii 4 seems aware of its target audience. The film “plays unabashedly and unapologetically to lovers of the franchise and similar fare” , making no attempts to cater to those outside its established fanbase.
The director, Milap Zaveri, is described as growing into “the Czar of what is considered vintage mainstream Hindi entertainers” , deliberately sidelining highbrow critics in favor of delivering a specific type of mass entertainment.
Some observers note that in certain screenings, the film prompted “continuous guffaws, chortles, and appreciative comments on jokes that were corny” from multiplex audiences including women , suggesting the humor does resonate with a segment of viewers.
The Verdict and Franchise Future
Mastiii 4 represents a franchise at a crossroads. While the film delivers exactly what the title promises—”loud laughter, wild chaos, and a nonstop rollercoaster of comic madness” for its target audience —it fails to evolve the formula that first brought success over two decades ago.
The fundamental question surrounding Mastiii 4 isn’t just about the quality of this particular installment, but about the viability of the franchise itself in a changing cinematic landscape. Despite a post-credits scene that teases Masti 5 , the diminishing returns both creatively and commercially suggest the series may have reached its natural conclusion.
As one critic succinctly put it: “Some franchises mature gracefully with time. Unfortunately, the Masti series isn’t one of them” .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mastiii 4 about?
The film follows three married friends—Amar (Riteish Deshmukh), Meet (Vivek Oberoi), and Prem (Aftab Shivdasani)—living in the UK who feel trapped in their mundane marital routines. They discover the concept of a “Love Visa” from their friend Kamraj (Arshad Warsi), where his wife grants him a week of annual freedom to do whatever he wants. The trio attempts to implement this arrangement in their own marriages, leading to chaotic consequences .
How does Mastiii 4 compare to previous films in the franchise?
Mastiii 4 continues the franchise’s tradition of raunchy humor and marital mischief but fails to capture the freshness of the original Masti (2004) or the commercial success of Grand Masti (2013). Critics note it feels more like a rehash of previous installments with diminishing returns on creativity and comedy .
Is there a post-credits scene in Mastiii 4?
Yes, the film includes a post-credits scene that teasingly sets up the possibility of Masti 5, suggesting the franchise isn’t ready to conclude despite the declining reception .
Should I watch Mastiii 4?
If you’re a dedicated fan of the previous Masti films and enjoy unapologetic, lowbrow humor with plenty of puns and slapstick comedy, Mastiii 4 might provide some mindless entertainment. However, if you prefer more sophisticated comedy or are new to the franchise, this installment is unlikely to change your opinion of the series .
Conclusion and Call to Action
Mastiii 4 arrives as a testament to both the enduring appeal of familiar franchises and the diminishing returns that come with refusing to evolve. While the core trio’s chemistry remains intact, the material they’re working with feels stale and repetitive.
The film serves as a case study in franchise fatigue, demonstrating that even the most successful formulas have expiration dates. For the Masti series to continue meaningfully, it would need significant creative reinvention rather than simply recycling what worked in the past.
Have you seen Mastiii 4? We’re curious to hear whether your experience aligns with the critical reception or if you found elements to appreciate that reviewers might have missed. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
