Pregnancy, unexplained supernatural events and the fear of losing an unborn child form the foundation of Jhaad Phoonk, a horror thriller directed by Rajan Ramgopal Verma. Starring Sumbul Touqeer Khan, Harsh Rajput, Yashpal Sharma, Padmini Kolhapure and Apratim Singh, the film takes a pregnant woman into a terrifying situation where she cannot trust what she sees or the people around her. Released on JioHotstar on October 30, 2026, this 112-minute film combines supernatural horror with superstition and psychological suspense.
Jhaad Phoonk Story
Aastha (Sumbul Touqeer Khan) is travelling through the hills of Uttarakhand with her boyfriend, Rajveer (Harsh Rajput). She is pregnant and upset because Rajveer has yet to speak to his father about their marriage. Their argument takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious woman suddenly appears in front of their speeding car. Aastha swerves to avoid hitting her, and the vehicle crashes into a tree.
When Aastha regains consciousness, she finds herself in an unfamiliar house. Mohan Thakur (Yashpal Sharma) and his wife, Kamini (Padmini Kolhapure), have taken her in. But there is something strange about their explanation of the accident. They claim Aastha was alone in the car, leaving her confused about Rajveer’s whereabouts. She begins to wonder whether he abandoned her when things became difficult.
Although Aastha wants to return to Delhi, the couple insists that travelling in her condition would be dangerous. She reluctantly stays with them. Soon, however, strange noises, unexplained movements and an unsettling presence begin to disturb her.
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When Aastha confronts her hosts, they tell her about Manjari, a woman who was allegedly killed by villagers along with her unborn child. According to their account, Manjari’s spirit has vowed to prevent another child from being born in the village.
Aastha is now trapped in a frightening situation, with her unborn baby’s safety becoming her biggest concern. But how much of the story told by Mohan and Kamini is true? And what really happened to Rajveer? Finding the answers becomes a matter of survival.
Jhaad Phoonk Review
Director Rajan Ramgopal Verma builds the film around a premise that naturally lends itself to suspense. A pregnant woman stranded in an unfamiliar house, surrounded by strangers and haunted by unexplained incidents, is an effective starting point for a horror thriller. The stakes are personal, which gives the supernatural elements an emotional foundation.
The initial portions work because the film does not immediately reveal everything. Aastha’s confusion about Rajveer and her growing discomfort around the couple create enough uncertainty to keep the story moving. You begin questioning whether the danger is supernatural or whether someone is deliberately hiding the truth.
However, the screenplay does not sustain this curiosity consistently. Some of the revelations are predictable, and a few developments arrive without enough explanation. The mystery surrounding Manjari has potential, but the film could have explored its background and consequences in greater depth. Certain scenes create an atmosphere of fear without adding much to the larger narrative.
The emotional angle involving Aastha’s unborn child gives the horror a personal dimension. Her vulnerability makes the situation more disturbing than a series of isolated ghost encounters. Yet, the film could have done more with this aspect to make the central conflict genuinely haunting.
At 112 minutes, the runtime is reasonable for the genre. The storytelling maintains interest for much of its duration, although the predictable turns reduce the impact of some important moments. The film has a workable horror premise, but stronger writing and more inventive scares could have elevated the experience.
Music And Technical Aspects
Horror depends as much on atmosphere as it does on what appears on screen. The cinematography uses the isolated setting and unfamiliar surroundings to establish a sense of unease. The house becomes an important part of the experience, with its strange atmosphere complementing Aastha’s growing fear.
The background score and sound design contribute to the suspense, particularly when the film relies on unexplained noises and the possibility of an unseen presence. However, some sequences would have benefited from more restraint. Silence and subtle sounds can often create greater tension than an overly dramatic musical cue.
The visual effects are serviceable but inconsistent. Certain supernatural moments could have been more convincing with better execution. The technical presentation supports the film’s atmosphere, but it does not consistently deliver the visual impact needed to make its horror sequences truly memorable.
Jhaad Phoonk Performances
Sumbul Touqeer Khan carries much of the film as Aastha. Her character has to navigate fear, confusion and the anxiety of protecting her unborn child while struggling to understand what is happening around her. Sumbul brings sincerity to these moments and makes Aastha’s vulnerability believable. Her performance helps maintain the emotional connection even when the screenplay becomes predictable.
Yashpal Sharma brings experience and authority to Mohan Thakur. His character is closely connected to the mystery, and the actor uses his expressions and screen presence to create uncertainty about his intentions. Padmini Kolhapure complements him as Kamini, adding to the uneasy atmosphere surrounding the couple.
Harsh Rajput has a relatively limited presence, but his character remains important to the story. He makes an impression in his scenes, while Apratim Singh contributes to the supporting cast.
Final Verdict
Jhaad Phoonk builds an intriguing horror story around a pregnant woman trapped in an unfamiliar house, where supernatural fears and human deception become difficult to separate. The atmosphere works in parts, but predictable twists, uneven visual effects and unanswered questions hold the film back.
A reasonably engaging horror thriller with an effective central premise, but it stops short of delivering a truly chilling experience. If you enjoy supernatural mysteries and stories built around superstition, it is worth considering for a weekend watch on JioHotstar.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
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