Bollywood’s love affair with horror-comedies continues, and this time, it’s bringing together an intriguing cast-Sanjay Dutt, Mouni Roy, Sunny Singh, and Palak Tiwari-for a supernatural showdown in The Bhootnii.
On Wednesday, the makers unveiled the announcement video, setting the stage for a chilling yet entertaining cinematic ride. The clip opens with an unsettling scene-an ominous tree engulfed in flames, casting eerie shadows in the darkness. The tension escalates as we catch a glimpse of a ghostly figure, her glowing green eyes piercing through the gloom as she levitates menacingly. Just as the haunting visuals unfold, Sanjay Dutt’s deep, authoritative voice echoes lines from the Bhagavad Geeta:
“It is written in the Geeta that the soul is immortal and eternal. Even when the body perishes, the soul does not get destroyed.”
The narrative then shifts to a seemingly sweet love story-Sunny Singh and Palak Tiwari appear as a young couple lost in their own world. But their happiness is short-lived. Suddenly, Sunny is thrust into an eerie, desolate space, his desperation ringing through the air as he cries out, “Mujhe meri mohabbat de.”
Enter Mouni Roy, transformed into a terrifying spectre, her presence sending shivers down the spine. But just when darkness seems to reign supreme, Sanjay Dutt arrives as the ultimate protector. With a towering Hanuman idol in the backdrop, he takes on the supernatural forces, ready for an epic face-off with Mouni Roy’s vengeful spirit. The final moments of the teaser hint at an intense clash between good and evil, fire and fury.
The announcement video promises a mix of horror, humour, and high-stakes drama. The makers described the film as a “rollercoaster of horror, romance, and comedy like never before,” teasing a blend of spine-tingling moments, hilarious twists, and a whole lot of romance. Joining the star-studded cast are Asif Khan and BeYounik, adding a comedic element to the supernatural spectacle.
However, fan reactions on social media have been mixed. While some are intrigued by the premise, others are sceptical about Bollywood’s repetitive take on horror films.
“Another horror movie with a love angle. Interesting! Let’s see how it comes out,” one user wrote.
“The VFX looks good, but it’s the story that’s important. Don’t have much hope for this film on that part-looks like a flop,” another commented.
A harsher take read, “Bollywood is seriously stuck in the eighties. Seriously, guys, pay good money and hire proper story writers and directors. Do relevant stories.”
Directed by Sidhaant Sachdev, The Bhootnii is set to hit cinema screens on 18 April. The film is produced by Soham Rockstar Entertainment and Three Dimension Motion Picture. Whether it will deliver fresh thrills or fall into the trap of cliché horror tropes remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure-the showdown between Sanjay Dutt and Mouni Roy’s ghostly avatar is bound to be the film’s biggest highlight.