The Bhootnii (2025): A Disappointing Horror-Comedy That Fails to Haunt or Amuse
Released on May 1, 2025, The Bhootnii is a Bollywood horror-comedy directed by Sidhaant Sachdev, aiming to ride the wave of successful genre entries like Stree. Produced by Sohum Rockstar Entertainment and Sanjay Dutt Productions, the film stars Sanjay Dutt, Mouni Roy, Sunny Singh, and Palak Tiwari, set against the quirky premise of a haunted “Virgin Tree” at the fictional St. Vincent College in Delhi. Despite a promising cast and a novel concept blending romance, horror, and humor, The Bhootnii stumbles with a weak script, lackluster execution, and a tonal mess that neither scares nor entertains consistently. This 800-word review delves into its missteps, occasional bright spots, and why it’s a forgettable addition to Bollywood’s horror-comedy canon.
A Promising Premise Lost in Chaos
The Bhootnii centers on Shantanu (Sunny Singh), a heartbroken student at St. Vincent College, where a mystical Virgin Tree supposedly grants romantic wishes on Valentine’s Day. Devastated by a breakup, Shantanu drunkenly pleads for “sacchi mohabbat” (true love) at the tree, unwittingly summoning Mohabbat (Mouni Roy), a ghost who awakens annually to seek love but claims souls by Holika Dahan. As eerie incidents—creaking doors, moving shadows—escalate, Shantanu’s roommates, Sahil (BeYouNick) and Nasir (Aasif Khan), provide comic relief, while his friend Ananya (Palak Tiwari) harbors unspoken feelings. When the college faces a crisis over mysterious suicides, ghostbuster Krishna “Baba” Tripathi (Sanjay Dutt) arrives with quirky gadgets to confront the spirit, whose obsession with Shantanu turns deadly.
The premise, blending campus romance with supernatural chills, has potential, drawing inspiration from urban legends and the Stree franchise’s playful tone. However, the script by Sachdev and Vankush Arora is a “pathetic” mess, criticized for its lack of coherence and reliance on outdated tropes. Critics note the film’s attempt to mash horror, comedy, and romance results in a “confused, inchoate” narrative that fails to balance its tones, unlike Stree’s deft equilibrium. The first half drags with a “wafer-thin plot,” while the second half’s supernatural showdowns feel rushed and predictable, leaving audiences “spiritually exhausted” rather than thrilled.
Performances: A Mixed Bag
Mouni Roy’s Mohabbat is a highlight, her “hypnotic” performance blending eerie charm and tragic depth, amplified by her 45-day harness work for floating scenes. Fans on social media praise her commitment, with one noting she’s “surprisingly good” in every frame. Sanjay Dutt’s Baba brings a “cool” energy, his comic timing and Munna Bhai-esque one-liners sparking genuine laughs, though his late entry and underwritten role limit his impact. Sunny Singh tries to infuse Shantanu with vulnerability but overplays emotional scenes, coming off as “catatonic” or “awful” in parts. Palak Tiwari’s Ananya feels sidelined, her friend-zoned arc underdeveloped, while BeYouNick and Aasif Khan’s exaggerated roommates deliver sporadic humor but lean on “2010 YouTube” gags that fall flat.
The ensemble’s chemistry is a saving grace, with meta nods to Naagin and Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. earning chuckles. However, the characters are “underwritten” and stereotypical—Sahil’s girlfriend obsession and Nasir’s shayari feel dated, undermining the film’s attempt at modern romance.
Technical Aspects: Style Over Substance
Sachdev’s direction lacks finesse, failing to salvage a “weak and unexciting” screenplay. Santosh Thundiyil’s cinematography is satisfactory, capturing the college’s neon-lit aesthetic, but the production design resembles a “boutique hotel” more than a campus, breaking immersion. The VFX, particularly Mohabbat’s ghostly transformations, are “tacky” and outdated, likened to old TV serials, undermining the horror. Amar Mohile’s background score is appropriately eerie but often overly loud, drowning out quieter moments. The songs—“Rang Laga,” “Mahakaal Mahakaali,” “Tararara”—are forgettable, with only the devotional “Mahakaal Mahakaali” earning praise for its energy.
Bunty Negi’s editing keeps the two-hour runtime from dragging, but the film’s tonal shifts—from slapstick to horror to romance—are jarring, with no scene feeling “necessary or tightly woven”. The action sequences, including Baba’s ghostbusting, are “dragged” and lack impact, with poor choreography further dulling the climax.
Reception and Box Office
The Bhootnii has polarized audiences, earning a dismal 0–2 stars from critics like The Indian Express and Bollywood Hungama, who call it a “senseless” and “childish” disaster. The Hindu labels it “anti-filmmaking,” criticizing its failure to scare or amuse.Its IMDb rating of 7.8/10 reflects fan enthusiasm, though likely skewed by selective reviews. Box office performance is lackluster, with ₹5–7 crore net in its opening weekend, hurt by competition from Raid 2 and poor word-of-mouth.
Should You Watch It?
The Bhootnii is a missed opportunity, squandering a talented cast and intriguing premise on a poorly written, badly executed horror-comedy. Mouni Roy and Sanjay Dutt offer fleeting highlights, but the film’s lack of scares, stale humor, and incoherent plot make it a slog. Compared to Stree’s sharp wit and social commentary, it feels like a “tired rehash” that trips and vanishes. Fans of the cast or die-hard genre enthusiasts might find moments of fun, but for most, it’s a “spiritless” one-time watch at best. Skip it in theaters and wait for streaming if you’re curious, but don’t expect a haunting experience.
Rating: 1.5/5
