Kakuda REVIEW: After Munjya, Aditya Sapotdar gives an underwhelming horror comedy starring Sonakshi Sinha, Riteish Deshmukh, Saqib Saleem

Film:
Kakuda Movie

Director: Aditya Sarpotdar

Writer: Avinash Dwivedi, Chirag Garg

Star cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Riteish Deshmukh, Saqib Saleem, Aasif Khan

Runtime: 1 hour 56 mins

Platform: On Zee 5

Kakuda Movie Review

Director Aditya Sarpotdar is back again with another horror comedy Kakuda after the successful Munjya. The movie starring Sonakshi Sinha, Riteish Deshmukh and Saqib Saleem is inspired by a folklore story. Once again a folklore story has been represented in movies; however, this could be termed as the weakest one among all the folklore stories. With so much competition in folklore stories like Stree, Bhediya and Munjya, Kakuda falls flat in several instances. To know more about Kakuda, keep reading the review here…

Story

Sunny (Saqib) and Indira (Sonakshi) decide to get married but unfortunately, the auspicious day lands on the day when Kakuda arrives. That night, Sunny fails to open a small door for Kakuda at exactly 7:15 p.m., the ghost becomes enraged and curses Sunny, giving him a growing hump that will cause his death in thirteen days. A downturn is witnessed in their marital bliss when they have to deal with the curse and the cursed village of Ratodi. The couple’s last chance is brought into the picture by Victor (Riteish), an eccentric ghost hunter. This duo is forced to reevaluate their beliefs about tradition, love, and the true nature of terror as they square up against this ghostly troublemaker!

What’s good about Kakuda

Kakuda” is a film that shines largely due to the compelling performances of its cast. Though the story is not captivating enough, it is the performance by all four of them that makes it an interesting watch. The simplicity, the innocence that they have performed will touch your hearts. The synergy between the actors creates a believable and engaging dynamic, drawing the audience into their world. The cinematography captures the essence of the story beautifully, using visual storytelling to enhance the narrative. The settings and production design contribute to the film’s atmosphere, making the world of “Kakuda” feel lived-in and real.

What’s not

Touted as a horror comedy, Kakuda unfortunately falls short in both genres. The horror elements in Kakuda are underdeveloped. The intentional jump scares and sudden background score changes are ineffective, failing to even startle the audience. For a movie billed as a horror comedy, this is a major shortcoming. A stronger focus on creating a genuinely eerie atmosphere and crafting more sophisticated scares would have greatly benefited the film. The humour in the film also misses the mark. The jokes fall flat, and the comedic timing of the actors does little to improve the situation. Enhancing the script with a sharper wit and more situational comedy could have elevated the humour, making it more engaging for the audience.

The climax of the movie ends on an absurd note, providing an unsatisfactory closure to the story. Instead of concluding on a high note, the ending feels rushed and incomplete. A more thoughtfully constructed climax, with a resolution that ties up the narrative threads effectively, would have left the audience with a more fulfilling experience.

Screenplay and Script Analysis

The storyline can be considered the major setback of Kakuda, as it is loosely written and lacks depth. At times, it feels reminiscent of a Zee horror show, with a predictable plot and noticeable flaws in the screenplay by Avinash Dwivedi and Chirag Garg. Additionally, the subtle digs at Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Stree come across as forced and lack genuine humour.

The predictability of the storyline diminishes the overall impact of the film. Viewers can easily anticipate the plot twists and turns, which reduces the suspense and engagement. A more intricately woven plot with unexpected developments would have kept the audience on their toes, enhancing the viewing experience. Certain scenes feel disjointed, and the pacing is uneven, which hampers the narrative flow. A tighter, more polished script would have improved the film’s structure and overall coherence.

Performance

Sonakshi Sinha as Indira looks beautiful and impresses with her performance. She keeps everything minimal and low-key, which only helps you to like her more. Sonakshi truly shines in the climax scene, adding a touch of brilliance to the film’s conclusion.

For a change, you won’t find Riteish Deshmukh loud or fidgety. The calmness in his character makes him appear very mature. Deshmukh is just as fabulous as the Ghost Hunter, bringing a grounded and composed energy to the role.

Saqib Saleem is adorable as Sunny! His facial expressions and comic timing are spot-on, sure to make you smile with his innocence. He brings a delightful charm to the film, making his character endearing and memorable.

On the other hand, Aasif Khan delivers an impactful performance as Sunny’s friend. His portrayal adds depth and authenticity to the film, complementing the other characters and enhancing the overall experience.

Conclusion

Concluding the review, Kakuda may not rely on a captivating plot, but it excels in delivering a heartfelt and engaging experience through the powerful performances of its cast, thoughtful direction, and relatable themes. The horror comedy struggles with ineffective horror, underwhelming humour, subpar visual effects, and an unsatisfying climax. However, the potential for improvement is evident. With a stronger script, better execution, and a focus on high-quality production elements, the film could have delivered a more compelling and entertaining experience.

Also read: Sarfira REVIEW: Akshay Kumar starrer has a few bumps in an otherwise sky-soaring drama filled with love and perseverance