Roohani Taaqat (1991) | Merits of Sin | Region-Free (DVD)

Title: Roohani Taaqat (1991)

Genre: Horror

Plot Synopsis:

A powerful tantrik residing on the outskirts of a village commands a demon, summoned at the villagers’ behest to eliminate their adversaries. When a woman’s husband falls victim to the demon, she embarks on a path of occult studies to avenge his death. The villagers, recognizing the peril, vow never to seek the tantrik’s assistance again. Years later, a group of city dwellers visits the village; after two of them commit a heinous act against a local woman, her grief-stricken lover turns to the tantrik, unleashing the demon once more. As the demon’s wrath endangers all, the narrative unfolds to reveal whether justice and peace can be restored.

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Director: Mohan Bhakri

Writers: Mohan Bhakri

Cast:

• Gurdas Maan as Shankar

• Sripradha as Gauri

• Javed Khan as Vicky

• Neelam Mehra as Neelam

• Sandhu Raj as Vijay

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IMDb Link: Roohani Taaqat (1991) 

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Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. Smokin’ Garfield – ★★★★

   “Calling Roohani Taaquat ‘the Bollywood Pumpkinhead’ is both correct and reductive. Like every Bollywood take on a Hollywood film, it’s what they throw in to extend the runtime that’s fascinating. This has some of the worst bad comedy in any Bollywood film I’ve seen. I wondered if I misjudged the late era films of Mike Myers and Dana Carvey when the fake mustaches and goofy glasses come out. I mean, is the Turtle Club sequence from The Master of Disguise so bad? Not after watching the sneeze-fart comedy scene in Roohani Taaquat! I don’t recall farting in Pumpkinhead. Maybe that’s in the sequel somewhere.”

2. Dr. Michael Morbius – ★★½

   “Bollywood Pumpkinhead.”

3. Brennan Dortch Cornelius Thunderbolt – ★★★★

   “Pumpkinhead gets the Indian rub in this goofy outing from my favorite region of trash horror. A silly old hag lookin’ tantrik living in seclusion just outside of a village holds power over a demon and every so often some wronged local comes to the tantrik and uses said demon to get revenge. One victim’s wife decides enough is enough and takes up occult studies, planning to destroy the beast once and for all. The villagers make a pact to not use the evil force anymore and things settle down for a bit. Enter a large traveling band on holiday (maybe), staying in a giant and somewhat creepy guesthouse. Comedic hijinks and dancing ensue and a disfigured sorceress wanders around.”

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Meta Description:

Roohani Taaqat (1991) is a Hindi horror film directed by Mohan Bhakri, featuring Gurdas Maan and Sripradha. The story revolves around a village plagued by a demon summoned by a tantrik, leading to a tale of vengeance and supernatural terror.