College crush turns creepy in horror-comedy ‘The Bhootnii’

‘The Bhootnii’, a cleverly written horror-comedy blends emotion, humour and supernatural suspense in a way which is entertaining as well as refreshingly unpredictable.Set against the lively backdrop of a fictional college campus, ‘The Bhootnii’ offers much more than just scares. With strong performances, quirky characters and a thoughtful storyline, the film explores themes of love, friendship and the paranormal with a playful tone.

The story unfolds at St Vincent’s College in Delhi, a vibrant setting filled with students enjoying typical campus life — cafeteria banter, hostel decorations, romantic pursuits and preparations for the college fest. Things take a dramatic turn when Shantanu (Sunny Singh), heartbroken after a breakup, makes a wish under the infamous Virgin Tree on Valentine's Eve. Unknowingly, his plea awakens Mohabbat (Mouni Roy), a ghost with a tragic past.

Once awakened, Mohabbat’s presence begins to disturb the peaceful college atmosphere. Unusual supernatural events — disappearing objects, strange noises, floating chalk — begin to escalate. With students increasingly alarmed, college authorities turn to an eccentric ghost hunter, Baba (Sanjay Dutt), for help. Baba arrives with a colourful crew and a bag of unconventional tricks, ready to tackle the ghostly disruptions.

While ‘The Bhootnii’ includes all the expected elements of a horror film, it stands out for its humour. The film leans into comedy without undermining the suspense.

Baba, played by Sanjay Dutt, is a standout character. With confidence, wit and a sense of comic timing, he manages to bring humour to the chaos. His interactions with the students and his methods for dealing with Mohabbat, offer some of the film’s most entertaining moments.

Mohabbat, portrayed by Mouni Roy, is more than just a scary presence. Her character is layered with emotion, hinting at a tragic backstory that adds depth to the horror. She manages to be both fearsome and sympathetic, bringing a human touch to her spectral role.

‘The Bhootnii’ doesn’t rely solely on frights; it gradually builds suspense while interweaving emotional flashbacks, situational comedy and memorable character moments. The result is a film that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.

‘The Bhootnii’ is streaming on ZEE5. ANI