The Bhootnii Review: Sanjay Dutt and Mouni Roy’s Horror-Comedy Falls Short of Expectations
Published on May 1, 2025
Overview
The Bhootnii, directed by Siddhant Sachdev, is a Hindi-language horror-comedy-romance that hit theaters on May 1, 2025. With a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes, the film attempts to blend supernatural elements with humor and romance.
Star Cast
- Sanjay Dutt as Baba, a seasoned paranormal expert
- Mouni Roy as Mohabbat, the titular Bhootnii
- Sunny Singh as Shantanu, a college student
- Palak Tiwari as Ananya, Shantanu’s love interest
- Aasif Khan and Nickunj Sharma as Shantanu’s friends
Story
Set in St. Vincent College, the narrative revolves around a mysterious “Virgin Tree” that awakens a spirit every Valentine’s Day. When Shantanu makes a wish for true love, he inadvertently stirs Mohabbat, a lovelorn spirit who becomes obsessed with him. As Mohabbat’s presence disrupts the college, Baba is summoned to confront the entity. The film attempts to weave horror, comedy, and romance into a cohesive narrative.
Budget and Box Office Performance
Bhootnii was produced on an estimated budget of ₹50 crore, including prints and advertising costs. Released across approximately 2,500 screens in India, it faced stiff competition from other releases. On its opening day, The Bhootnii garnered a modest ₹40 lakh, marking one of the lowest openings for a Sanjay Dutt film in recent years. To be considered a hit, the film needs to gross at least ₹60 crore, a target that seems challenging given the current trajectory.
Review
Sanjay Dutt delivers a performance reminiscent of his iconic roles, bringing a quirky charm to the character of Baba. Mouni Roy captivates as Mohabbat, showcasing her experience in supernatural roles. However, the film struggles with inconsistent storytelling and underwhelming horror elements. The humor often falls flat, and the plot lacks depth, making it challenging to maintain audience engagement.
Director Siddhant Sachdev attempts to balance the film’s diverse elements, but the execution leaves much to be desired. The cinematography captures the eerie ambiance of the college setting, but the screenplay lacks the punch needed to elevate the story. The film’s self-referential nods to popular culture, including Mouni Roy’s role in Naagin, add a layer of meta-humor but fail to compensate for the weak narrative.
Audience Reception
Early reviews indicate a lukewarm response, with audiences praising the performances of Sanjay Dutt and Mouni Roy but criticizing the film’s lack of genuine scares and humor. On BookMyShow, the film holds a rating of 7.8/10 based on 103 votes, with users highlighting the “great acting” and “super direction” but noting the “awesome story” falls short. Critics from The Indian Express and India Today have been less forgiving, pointing out the film’s lack of plot and production value.
Conclusion
The Bhootnii attempts to offer a refreshing addition to the horror-comedy genre but ultimately falls short due to its inconsistent storytelling and lackluster execution. While the performances of Sanjay Dutt and Mouni Roy are commendable, they are not enough to salvage the film. It may serve as a one-time watch for fans of the genre but fails to leave a lasting impression.
Ratings: 🌟🌟
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