Mrighdeep Lamba on Roohi: In 2021, why would we make a film without a message?

Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor

In a town where abducting women for marriage is customary, two men kidnap a woman, unaware that she is possessed. One falls in love with the woman, the other, with the witch who has possessed her. When writer Mrighdeep Lamba approached Dinesh Vijan with the concept of Roohi, the producer was thrilled at how the story perfectly fit into his plan of creating a horror comedy universe. "When Mrig came to me, we were yet to release Stree [2018]. Over the next year-and-half, we worked together to find an end that justifies the film," says Vijan, tracing the genesis of the Rajkummar Rao, Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Sharma starrer.

A still from Roohi

Like Stree, Hardik Mehta-directed Roohi too has feminist undertones. "In 2021, why would we make a film without a message? When people take the elevator after watching the film, they will discuss the laughs, the scares and the message at the end of it," states Lamba, who has previously helmed the Fukrey franchise.

Dinesh Vijan and Mrighdeep Lamba

Over the next five years, Vijan intends to create a Marvel-like universe, only that his world isn't dominated by superheroes but by ghosts that do more good than harm. "Soon, we'll go on floors with Munjha [prequel to Stree]. The film will explain the motivations of Shraddha's character in Stree. In January 2022, Amar Kaushik will direct the Stree sequel." The universe will include Bhediya, the monster comedy that stars Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon.

Slated to release on March 11, Roohi is the first big-ticket film to pursue a theatrical release after the pandemic. Though admittedly tempted by lucrative offers of OTT platforms, Lamba says it was movie hall-or-nothing for them. "Dinesh and I are products of theatres. Fukrey got so much love because of its run at cinemas. In a way, we owed this film to theatres." Vijan adds, "We may make less money, but I want us to take the risk."