Read our full review of The Bhootnii (2025), a horror-comedy starring Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Singh, and Mouni Roy. Directed by Sidhaant Sachdev, this Zee Studios release blends ghostly elements with humor. Find out if it delivers chills or chuckles!
Introduction: Horror Meets Humor in ‘The Bhootnii’
The Bhootnii (transl. The Ghostess) is a 2025 Hindi-language comedy horror film directed and written by Sidhaant Sachdev. Co-produced by Deepak Mukut and Sanjay Dutt under Soham Rockstar Entertainment and Three Dimension Motion Pictures, the film aims to blend horror with humor in a spooky entertainer. Released in theatres on May 1, 2025, and distributed by Zee Studios, the movie features Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Singh, Mouni Roy, and Palak Tiwari in key roles.
With a runtime of 130 minutes, The Bhootnii attempts to join the league of Bollywood’s horror-comedies like Stree and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. But does it succeed in delivering laughs and scares in equal measure? Let’s dive into the review.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Set in a small North Indian town, the story revolves around Arjun (Sunny Singh), a carefree young man whose life takes a supernatural turn when he encounters a ghostess – The Bhootnii (played by Mouni Roy). The spirit is tied to a mysterious old haveli with a dark past and an unfinished mission.
Sanjay Dutt plays a quirky ghost-hunter with his own tragic backstory, and together with Arjun, he tries to uncover the mystery behind the ghostess’s presence. As secrets unfold, the film mixes slapstick humor, ghostly encounters, emotional flashbacks, and a few social messages sprinkled throughout.
Performances: Dutt Shines, Sunny Surprises, Mouni Mystifies
- Sanjay Dutt delivers a fun, slightly eccentric performance. His role as the ghost-busting baba brings nostalgic energy reminiscent of his Munna Bhai days but in a spooky setting.
- Sunny Singh gets more screen time and holds his own with natural comic timing. His transition from fear to action is convincing and keeps the story moving.
- Mouni Roy as The Bhootnii plays her part with eerie elegance. While she doesn’t have many dialogues, her expressions and presence add to the haunting vibe.
- Palak Tiwari, in a supporting role, adds freshness but doesn’t get enough screen space to leave a lasting impact.
Direction & Screenplay: Uneven But Watchable
Sidhaant Sachdev’s direction shows ambition. He tries to balance horror with humor and emotion, but the tonal shifts feel jarring at times. Some scenes are genuinely funny or spooky, but others fall flat due to cliché writing or over-the-top dramatics.
The screenplay (by Sachdev and Vankush Arora) starts strong but loses steam in the second half. The film attempts to mix genres but doesn’t commit fully to either horror or comedy, which may leave some viewers wanting more from both fronts.
Technical Aspects: Slick Visuals and Catchy Music
- Cinematography by Santhosh Thundiyil is visually appealing. The haunted haveli, candle-lit corridors, and nighttime chase scenes are beautifully shot.
- Editing by Bunty Nagi could’ve been tighter, especially in the second half where the pace dips.
- Music is a mix of peppy numbers and spooky background scores. The songs by Iconyk, UpsideDown, Shabbir Ahmed, and others are decent, with one romantic track standing out. Amar Mohile’s background score tries hard to set the tone but at times gets overshadowed by dialogues and comedy.
What Works in The Bhootnii
- Sanjay Dutt’s entertaining performance
- Mouni Roy’s ghostly presence
- Some genuinely funny one-liners
- Visually polished production design
What Doesn’t Work
- Predictable plot twists
- Tonal inconsistency
- Weak climax with rushed emotional wrap-up
- Lack of strong horror elements (not scary enough for horror fans)
Audience Reaction & Reception
Initial reactions from audiences are mixed. Some enjoyed the film’s light-hearted spooky tone and Dutt’s comic presence, while others found the film lacking in depth and originality. Fans of horror-comedy as a genre may find The Bhootnii a decent one-time watch, but it doesn’t break new ground.
Final Verdict
The Bhootnii tries to tick all boxes—laughs, chills, music, and emotional beats—but ends up being an average entertainer. Sanjay Dutt’s fans will enjoy his fun take on a ghost hunter, and younger audiences might appreciate the modern twist on a traditional haunted house tale. However, those expecting a sharp, well-crafted horror-comedy in the vein of Stree or Go Goa Gone might walk away a little underwhelmed.
Best Movie Review(BMR) Rating: 6.5/10