Language: Hindi
Director and writer: Vipul Vig
Cast: Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Shalini Pandey, Piyush Mishra, Amit Sial, Sumit Gulati, Chunky Panday
Imagine what would happen if Rahu and Ketu turned human, walked into your life to remind you of all your paap (sins), and then proceeded to wreak havoc. What makes it even stranger is that their actions are not driven by free will, but by the command of an invisible force that exists to punish evil and restore good. That, at its core, is the basis of most folklore and religious texts. Evil, no matter how alluring or perfectly packaged, will always be punished, while good ultimately prevails in a world of chaos.
That is precisely the idea Rahu Ketu is built on.
Writer and director Vipul Vig, who also penned the Fukrey franchise, attempts to weave mythology and simplicity into a light-hearted narrative. He gives the film an almost child-friendly appeal, with Pulkit Samrat as Ketu and Varun Sharma as Rahu leading the charge. At its simplest, this feels like a film you could take children to, one that introduces them to the concept of Samudra Manthan, explains how Rahu and Ketu came to be, and gently reinforces the idea that instead of fearing them, one should understand karma. But the bigger question remains. Is this a film adults will enjoy too? And more importantly, can it live up to the expectations of Fukrey fans?
Varun Sharma and Pulkit Samrat in a still from Rahu Ketu.
The short answer is not quite.
Rahu Ketu starts off with promise. It carries a very theatre-like sensibility, with Foofaji, played by Piyush Mishra, narrating the story of how Rahu and Ketu were born, while explaining to his nephew Churu Lal, played by Manu Singh Chaddha, the power of a diary that writes their fate. These two are believed to be harbingers of bad luck, but in reality, they punish only those who are evil, staying true to the mythological roots.
The film has all the ingredients in place. There is comedy, action, a hint of romance, Sharma is still waiting to convincingly woo someone on screen, and even song-and-dance sequences. So what goes wrong?
The answer is consistency.
From pacing to humour, consistency is the film’s biggest stumbling block. The narrative gathers momentum at moments, only to lose it almost immediately. There is an interesting meta commentary on writers creating hollow characters without proper arcs, something we have seen far too often in recent films and shows. However, this sharpness fades quickly, replaced by repetitive jokes that feel more like padding than progression. The entire haathi-kela sequence is a prime example. Even while writing this, the author of this review remains unclear whether it was meant to signify something deeper or if it simply existed for the sake of a gag.
Performance-wise, the cast does its best to steady an uneven script. Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma are dependable, as always, slipping seamlessly into their roles. Their chemistry is the best thing to watch out for. Meanwhile, Amit Sial as the SHO and Sumit Gulati as Bansi make strong impressions despite limited screen time. Both actors deserve special mention for elevating scenes that could have easily fallen flat.
Shalini Pandey, who plays Meenu Taxi, is decent, but it is hard to ignore the overwhelming ‘Alia’ influence in her performance. In several scenes, she feels more like an actor emulating Bhatt than inhabiting her own space. One hopes future projects allow Pandey to rediscover the spark she initially showed.
Chunky Panday appears as Mordechai, a name chosen for how easily it can be twisted, but he too is boxed into a familiar stereotype. It is disappointing, especially given how underutilised his range often is.
One of the more jarring aspects of the film, aside from its uneven narration, is the music. Rather than blending seamlessly into the story, the title track, with the word ‘paapi’ awkwardly inserted, sticks out uncomfortably.
So should Rahu Ketu be avoided? Not at all. It is a light-hearted film that offers moments of laughter and can serve as an easy watch on a tiring day. However, comparisons with Fukrey are inevitable, and that is where disappointment may creep in. With a sequel already hinted at, one can only hope Vipul Vig takes note of what did not work and returns with a sharper, more cohesive follow-up.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
WATCH the trailer of Rahu Ketu here:
The film is currently playing in theatres across the nation.
