Roohi (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Roohi is a 2021 comedy horror film directed by Hardik Mehta, starring Janhvi Kapoor as Roohi / Afza, Varun Sharma and Rajkummar Rao. It runs 2 hours 14 minutes and earned $2.3 million worldwide on a $4.1 million budget. Its Echo Score is 30/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 14m (134 min)
- Director
- Hardik Mehta
- Original language
-
Hindi
- Studio
- Maddock Films
- Budget
- $4.1M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Roohi About?
The premise of Roohi without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a fictional North Indian town, two boys Bhaura and Kattanni are stuck in a forest with Roohi. But there’s an insidious spirit following them with feet turned backwards.
Roohi Themes & Keywords
· 6 tags- shooting
- ghost
- reference to a zodiac sign
- reference to leo the astrological sign
- maddock supernatural universe
- horror comedy
Roohi Cast & Characters
Janhvi Kapoor leads the cast as Roohi / Afza, with Varun Sharma as Kattanni and Rajkummar Rao as Bhaunra Pandey. Directed by Hardik Mehta; 9 actors are credited in all.
- Director Hardik Mehta
- Janhvi Kapoor as Roohi / Afza
- Varun Sharma as Kattanni
- Rajkummar Rao as Bhaunra Pandey
- Manav Vij as Guniya Shakeel
Also Starring in Roohi
· 5 more- Alexx O'Nell Tim
- Rajesh Jais Roohi's Father
- Anuraag Arora Panwadi Tantrik
- Sumit Gulati
- Sarita Joshi Budhiya
More from Hardik Mehta
More films directed by Hardik Mehta: Kaamyaab and The Affair.
Roohi Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 30/100, strongest in character & emotion (45) and weakest in story & flow (25).
Roohi Echo Score Breakdown
Roohi falls short of delivering a satisfying horror‑comedy experience, as the majority of critics and viewers highlight fundamental flaws across its components. The film is criticized for an incoherent narrative, uneven tone, and underdeveloped characters, while occasional moments of camaraderie between the male leads receive modest praise. Limited visual and auditory appeal further reduce its replay value. Consequently, the movie registers a low overall Echo Score, reflecting widespread disappointment.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 35
In terms of direction and production design, Roohi exhibits several shortcomings. Critics and users repeatedly note a lackluster visual style, uneven editing, and a dimly lit setting that hampers clarity. A solitary positive remark mentions the nighttime jungle ambience, but it does not offset the overall weak craftsmanship. The artistic execution thus scores low.
- Character & Emotion 45
When evaluating performances and character depth, the film presents a mixed picture. Several reviewers criticize Janhvi Kapoor’s limited range and generic dialogue, while praising Rajkumar Rao’s occasional humor and Varun Sharma’s chemistry with him. The supporting cast receives minimal commentary, indicating an overall underdeveloped ensemble. Consequently, character work attains a modest middle‑range rating.
- Story & Flow 25
Regarding plot coherence and pacing, Roohi is widely deemed ineffective. Critics and users alike point to a fragmented story, illogical twists, and an inability to sustain tension or humor, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience. Brief mentions of occasional funny moments do not compensate for the overarching narrative weakness. The story therefore receives a low score.
- Sensory Experience 40
In terms of auditory and visual elements, Roohi offers limited appeal. Reviewers mention a sparse soundtrack, noisy sound design, and a generally dark visual palette that obscures detail. One user acknowledges a single song as a highlight, yet overall sensory integration feels under‑realized. The sensory dimension consequently earns a below‑average rating.
- Rewatch Factor 30
Assessing rewatch potential, the consensus is largely unfavorable. Most critics and users describe the film as tedious, with repetitive jokes and a lack of memorable moments, suggesting little incentive for repeat viewings. A few comments note occasional comic relief, but these are insufficient to restore lasting appeal. Hence, the rewatch factor is low.
Roohi Plot Summary
What happens in Roohi from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Bhawra Pandey [Rajkummar Rao] and Kattanni Qureshi [Varun Sharma] hail from the small Bagadpur village, where a harsh local custom once dictated that the man who wishes to marry a woman must abduct her. The two men are pulled into that grim tradition by their boss, the ruthless Guniya Bhai [Manav Vij], who hires them to kidnap Roohi [Janhvi Kapoor], a young woman whose future is tied to a marriage contract. When a death in the groom’s family forces a pause on the plan, Bhawra and Kattanni decide to hide Roohi in an abandoned woodworking shop so the marriage can proceed after the funeral.
Full summary
The whole story of Roohi, scene by scene
Roohi Box Office & Budget
Roohi grossed $2.3 million worldwide on a $4.1 million budget, 56% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$2.3M
56% of its budget back
- International
- $2.3M
- Budget
- $4.1M
How Well Do You Know Roohi?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the village where Bhawra Pandey and Kattanni Qureshi live?
Roohi Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Rooh Afza” and “Roohi Afzana”.
- Also known as
-
- Rooh Afza
- Roohi Afzana
- Roohee
- 绑匪绑到鬼
- 鬼娘子2
- ผีลักเจ้าสาว
- 綁匪綁到鬼
Seen Roohi?
Movies Like Roohi
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Bhediya and Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
Roohi FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Roohi, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Roohi?
Roohi runs 2 hours 14 minutes (134 minutes).
When was Roohi released?
Roohi was released on March 11, 2021.
Who directed Roohi?
Roohi was directed by Hardik Mehta.
More films by Hardik Mehta Who is in the cast of Roohi?
Roohi stars Janhvi Kapoor as Roohi / Afza, Varun Sharma as Kattanni and Rajkummar Rao as Bhaunra Pandey, among 9 credited actors.
How much did Roohi make at the box office?
Roohi grossed $2.3 million worldwide on a budget of $4.1 million.
Does Roohi have a post-credit scene?
No. Roohi has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Roohi in?
The original language of Roohi is Hindi.
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