Fukrey hangover continues, but Pulkit Samrat-Varun Sharma’s comic timing shines
On paper, Rahu Ketu has all the ingredients of a charming small-budget comedy: an interesting premise, a well-established setting and actors who understand comic timing. Herein lies the film’s greatest strength.
Director: Vipul Vig
Cast: Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Shalini Pandey, Piyush Mishra, Chunky Panday, Amit Sial
Duration: 2 hours 17 minutes
Where to watch: In theaters
Rating: 3 stars
In a beautiful small town in Himachal Pradesh, struggling writer Churu Lal Sharma (Manu Rishi Chaddha) finds himself stuck both creatively and financially. Her life takes a strange turn when a mysterious uncle, played with delightful unpredictability by Piyush Mishra, enters her world with a magical book. This book becomes the catalyst for chaos when two unusual beings – Rahu (Varun Sharma) and Ketu (Pulkit Samrat) – appear and wreak havoc on the town.
Rahu and Ketu are innocent, childlike and completely unaware of the destruction they are creating. Their presence sparks rumors, fear, superstition, and confusion among the locals, who begin to view them as a bad omen. But it’s clear to the audience that these are the heart of the comedy. As the madness escalates, we meet Meenu (Shalini Pandey), who brings warmth and sincerity to the narrative, and Mordecai (Chunky Pandey), an eccentric criminal whose strange energy adds another layer of absurdity.
On paper, Rahu Ketu has all the ingredients of a charming small-budget comedy: an interesting premise, a well-established setting and actors who understand comic timing. Herein lies the film’s greatest strength. Small-budget comedies often come as pleasant surprises because they don’t rely on spectacle; instead, they rely on situations, performances, and relatability. When they work, they feel refreshingly honest. Unfortunately, Rahu Ketu cannot take full advantage of this advantage. Although the situations are entertaining, the dialogues often fail to provide the impact they deserve. A sharper, wittier script would have taken many scenes from mildly funny to truly memorable.
Director Vipul Vig is making his debut and shows his confidence behind the camera. The humor is largely situational rather than loud or playful, which is commendable. The film seems to drag on in some parts and tighter editing would have helped the narrative flow better. However, the scenic Himachal locations add visual freshness and the background music complements the tone without overpowering it.
Performance-wise, Varun Sharma once again proves why comedy comes naturally to him. As Rahu, his expressions, body language and comedic instincts do most of the heavy lifting. Pulkit Samrat balances his energy as Ketu with ease and adds a playful charm that keeps the film afloat. Their chemistry is undeniably the lifeline of the film. Many scenes work purely because of camaraderie and timing. But both players appear to be playing in familiar territory. They save the movie, yes, but it’s also clear that they need to push themselves further and explore new shades of comedy.
Shalini Pandey deserves special mention. She brings confidence and sincerity to Meenu and makes her presence felt even in limited screen time. Unfortunately, his character arc seems underwritten. It deserved a stronger emotional journey and more narrative significance. Piyush Mishra is effortlessly engaging and brings mystery and humor in equal measure. Chunky Pandey’s Mordecai is quirky, slightly menacing and mostly funny; Actors like Amit Sial, Manu Rishi Chaddha and Sumit Gulati provide solid support.
Rahu Ketu is a film with real potential which doesn’t quite hit its peak due to less effective dialogues and lengthy script. Still, it remains watchable thanks to its ensemble cast, lighthearted tone, and situational humor performances. Don’t go into the theater with high expectations; You’ll probably find that he’s a good-time entertainer who does his thing, makes you smile, and forget your worries for a few hours.
