Roohi flopped primarily due to its tedious narrative, weak comedic elements, ineffective horror, and predictable plotlines that failed to engage the audience.
The 2021 Bollywood horror-comedy, Roohi, struggled at the box office and received generally negative reviews, leading to its designation as a flop. Several critical factors contributed to its underwhelming performance, particularly concerning its storytelling and execution.
Key Reasons for Roohi's Underperformance
The film's reception indicated significant issues in its core aspects, leading to a disconnect with the audience.
1. Tedious Narrative and Pacing
One of the most significant drawbacks cited by viewers was the film's boring narrative, which made the movie feel considerably longer than its actual runtime. Despite not being an exceptionally long film, the lack of engaging storytelling contributed to a sense of drag, making it difficult for the audience to stay invested.
2. Ineffective Genre Blend: Comedy and Horror
Roohi attempted to blend horror with comedy, a popular genre in Indian cinema, but reportedly failed on both fronts:
- Weak Comedy: The comedy factors weren't high, leading to a lack of genuine laughs. The jokes often fell flat, failing to provide the intended lighthearted relief or comedic impact.
- Poor Horror Elements: Similarly, the horror show was poor, with ineffective scares and a failure to build a genuinely chilling atmosphere. This dual failure meant the film didn't deliver satisfyingly on either of its primary genres.
3. Predictability and Lack of Excitement
The storyline of Roohi often placed the audience in predictable situations. This meant that viewers could easily anticipate upcoming scenes and plot developments, which severely hampered the overall viewing experience. When a film's trajectory is too obvious, the excitement for the upcoming scene is never built, leading to disengagement and boredom.
Summary of Contributing Factors
| Factor | Description | Impact on Audience Engagement |
|---|---|---|
| Boring Narrative | The story felt drawn out and uninteresting, despite the film's actual length. | Led to viewer fatigue and disinterest. |
| Low Comedy Quotient | Jokes and humorous elements failed to land effectively. | Did not provide the expected entertainment or relief. |
| Ineffective Horror | Scares were weak, and the horror elements were poorly executed. | Failed to create tension or fear, a core element of the genre. |
| High Predictability | Plot points and twists were easily foreseeable by the audience. | Eliminated suspense and excitement for future scenes. |
These elements collectively contributed to Roohi's critical and commercial failure, highlighting the importance of a compelling narrative, effective genre execution, and unpredictable storytelling in cinematic success. For more details on the movie, you can visit its IMDb page.
