When the trailer of 'Roohi' was unveiled a few weeks ago, it did not give away a fair idea about the plot, but I was particularly hopeful about its prospects, given the credible talents associated with it. Directed by Hardik Mehta, whose previous film 'Kaamyaab' starring Sanjay Mishra was one of the last few theatrical releases in March 2020, before the COVID 19 pandemic forced cinema chains to come to a grinding halt and who is also credited as a co-writer for Amazon Prime Video's most successful web show, 'Paatal Lok', you'd want to believe in the film's merit. Additionally, the film's lead Rajkummar Rao shot to mainstream stardom with the 2018 horror-comedy 'Stree', which was also moonlit by 'Roohi's producers Maddock Films. Of course, it was quite a tall order to live upto. Or are our expectations unrealistic?

Because the new horror-comedy is a shocking travesty of superstition, spirits and stereotyping with laughs served as generously as the jalapenos in our pizzas. I found myself trying sincerely to connect with the objective behind the story, a purpose that never gets served.

Childhood besties Bhawra Pandey (Rao) and Kattani Qureshi (Varun Sharma) are tasked with the abduction of Roohi (Janhvi Kapoor) by Guniya Bhai (Manav Vij) as part of the bride-kidnapping tradition that is prevalent in their village of Bagadpur. Yes, you read bride-kidnapping right. When the supposed groom's family discovers that Roohi is suffering from split personality disorder, the marriage is called off and Bhawra and Kattani are told to hide with her in a forest away from the eyes of the law. While hiding out, Bhawra and Kattani witness Roohi's alter ego Afza (you get the pun) in a series of encounters. While Bhawra is determined to free Roohi from the clutches of the spirit that resides within her, Kattani harbours feelings for Afza. Wild, right?

While writers Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and Gautam Mehra deliver a fine first half with Rao and Sharma dialling up the humour through their banter, the second half slips into utter chaos leading to a climax that will leave you baffled. Rao, who is always reliable, struggles to keep himself afloat. I really wonder if we will ever witness Sharma doing anything else other than playing the hero's goofy best-friend. Janhvi too is reduced to a sorry figure throughout the running time of the film, till the climax allows her to take space briefly. But that's hardly any respite. Dependably solid actors as Vij and Padmashree recipient Sarita Joshi are wasted. Even, Alexx O'Nell is awfully typecast as the Westerner scribe mouthing anglicised Hindi.

I hope makers are more mindful about releasing content theatrically given how digital mediums have influenced the consumption patterns of our audience in this post-pandemic age.