Bollywood’s fascination with horror-comedy remains undimmed, and The Bhootnii, starring Sanjay Dutt, Mouni Roy, Palak Tiwari, Sunny Singh, and Beyounick, dives headfirst into this quirky genre. Helmed by director Sidhaant Sachdev, the film unfolds a peculiar tale of a college tree that conjures a ghost named Mohabbat each Valentine’s Day, blending supernatural antics with a romantic twist.

Released on April 25, 2025, The Bhootnii has sparked a whirlwind of reactions, with Mouni Roy’s standout performance earning raves even as the film grapples with a faltering storyline.

Online chatter has zeroed in on Roy’s captivating portrayal of Mohabbat, with fans showering her with praise. One enthused, “Mouni Roy is pure magic—her ghost is the soul of the film!” Another marveled at her dedication, noting, “Spending 45 days in a harness paid off; she’s mesmerizing in every frame.” A third fan gushed, “Mouni’s Mohabbat makes this chaotic horror-comedy worth watching—she’s a genre gem!” Roy’s ability to infuse the spectral role with both charm and intensity has cemented her as the film’s saving grace, striking a chord with viewers.

Critics, however, have skewered the film’s lackluster script, which struggles to balance scares and humor. One review sighed, “The horror fizzles, the comedy feels stale, and the plot wanders like a lost spirit.” Another jabbed, “The Bhootnii stumbles where Stree danced—its ghost needs a sharper story.” Sanjay Dutt’s belated appearance as an eccentric ghostbuster, armed with oddball tools and arcane wisdom, injects fleeting energy but fails to rescue the narrative. Faisal Khan’s sporadic comedic bits offer mild relief, yet many deem the film a disjointed effort, with one viewer quipping, “I left more haunted by the script than the ghost.”

Amid India’s thriving horror-comedy wave, The Bhootnii has fueled spirited online debates, reflecting the genre’s pull despite its uneven execution. While unlikely to claim cinematic glory, Roy’s luminous performance offers a beacon for fans willing to navigate its bumpy ride. For others, the film’s narrative pitfalls render it a spectral disappointment, underscoring the challenges of crafting a cohesive spooky-laugh riot.

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, showcased his playful side by joining actors Sakshi Shivdasani and Naina Bhan for a lively dance reel that lit up social media. Posted collaboratively on their Instagram accounts, the trio danced to the infectious Luv Letter by Kanika Kapoor from The Legend of Michael Mishra, a track dominating Instagram trends.

With Mosseri flanked by Sakshi and Naina, he gamely followed their choreography, bringing a lighthearted charm to the clip. Sakshi captioned the post with a cheeky nod to their podcast MOS, writing, “Naina and Sakshi have a podcast called MOS, so my name is @mosseri (we’re delusional).”

The reel sparked a flurry of reactions, with fans flooding the comments with laughter and admiration. One user exclaimed, “This video is unreal!” while another praised, “Love how carefree you all are!” A third simply declared, “Absolutely obsessed!” The spontaneous moment highlighted Instagram’s role as a platform for creative connections, bridging global executives with local talent.

Mosseri’s India visit, centered around the WAVES 2025 Summit in Mumbai, has been a whirlwind of star-studded interactions.

On Wednesday, he dined with Bollywood power couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh at Bandra’s Papa’s restaurant, sharing a selfie on Instagram captioned, “Met the charismatic @deepikapadukone and @ranveersingh in Bombay, savoring incredible food at @papasbombay.”

Deepika responded playfully, “What happens at @papasbombay stays there!” with emojis, while Ranveer added, “Good times!” with heartfelt emojis, reflecting their warm camaraderie.

That same day, Mosseri met content creator Prajakta Koli, who posted a photo on Instagram, writing, “Grateful for the chat, @mosseri!” His packed itinerary culminates on Friday with a high-profile interaction alongside actor Shraddha Kapoor at the WAVES Summit, a global platform celebrating media and innovation.

Mosseri’s engagement with India’s entertainment scene underscores Instagram’s growing influence in the country, where millions use the platform to share stories and connect. His visit, blending professional commitments with cultural immersion, highlights the app’s role in fostering creativity and collaboration across borders, resonating with India’s dynamic digital community.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) sparked a fierce controversy by approving the release of 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, prompting a sharp rebuke from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Labeling the move a “robbery” of Punjab’s water rights, Mann vowed to resist what he described as an unjust decision driven by the BJP-led central government and Haryana.

The decision, finalized during a marathon five-hour BBMB technical committee meeting, has ignited tensions over water distribution from the Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams, which serve Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan for irrigation and other needs.

Punjab officials at the meeting vehemently opposed the allocation, arguing that Haryana had already exhausted its water quota, while water levels in the Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams were lower than the previous year.

Despite their objections, Rajasthan, governed by the BJP, reportedly backed Haryana’s demand, intensifying Punjab’s sense of betrayal.

Mann, in a fiery post on X, declared, “Punjab stands united against this theft of our water rights. The BJP and Haryana are colluding against us, but we will not allow another injustice. The BJP must face our opposition.”

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Mann, announced statewide protests against the BJP, accusing it of pressuring the BBMB to favor Haryana.

Earlier, on April 29, Mann had rejected Haryana’s request for additional water, noting that the state had already consumed 103% of its share by March 31. He highlighted Punjab’s critical need for water for the upcoming paddy sowing season, stating that not a single drop could be spared.

Mann also revealed that Punjab had provided 4,000 cusecs daily to Haryana from April 6 as a humanitarian gesture, despite its own constraints.

This year, the BBMB allocated 3.318 million acre-feet (MAF) to Rajasthan, 2.987 MAF to Haryana, and 5.512 MAF to Punjab, but Haryana’s overutilization has fueled the dispute. AAP leaders, including Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, condemned the BJP’s “coercive tactics,” vowing a strong response to protect Punjab’s interests.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused the BJP of “anti-Punjab” bias, further escalating the political showdown. The controversy underscores the delicate balance of water-sharing agreements in India, where inter-state disputes often reflect deeper regional tensions, drawing significant public and political attention.