Kakuda | Movie Review

Director: Aditya Sarpotdar
Star Cast: Riteish Deshmukh, Sonakshi Sinha, Saqib Saleem, Aasif Khan
Language: Hindi
Available On: ZEE5
Runtime: 116 minutes
Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐(3/5)

“Kakuda” is a horror-comedy set in the cursed village of Ratodi, North India. The story follows a vengeful spirit named Kakuda, who terrorizes the village every Tuesday at 7:15 PM. When a household’s small door is closed, Kakuda kicks a male member on the back, causing a hump to appear. Within 13 days, the victim dies. Interestingly, Kakuda never harms women, adding a unique twist to the tale.

Script Analysis
The film focuses on Sunny (Saqib Saleem), who loves Indira (Sonakshi Sinha). However, her father insists she marries someone proficient in English. With her mother’s support, Sunny and Indira decide to elope, with Sunny’s best friend Kilvish (Aarif Khan) helping them. Despite a warning about the cursed hour, they get married. But Sunny fails to reach home in time and suffers Kakuda’s curse.

Determined to save Sunny, Indira seeks help from a quirky ghost-hunter (Riteish Deshmukh). This leads to a blend of humor and thrills as they confront the spirit. Writers Avinash Dwivedi and Chirag Garg introduce fresh ideas into the script, avoiding typical horror clichés.

The screenplay moves quickly and logically, with clever twists. The concept of the cursed door evokes “Bhool Bhulaiyaa,” but with a new twist. The dialogues add sharp humor to the bizarre situations.

Star Performance:
Sonakshi Sinha excels in her dual role as Indira and her twin, Gomati. She effortlessly switches between the gentle Gomati and the determined Indira. Riteish Deshmukh brings his charm and humor to the ghost-hunter, and his serious demeanor amplifies the film’s comedic elements. Saqib Saleem portrays the love-struck Sunny convincingly. Aarif Khan as Kilvish and Yogendra Tikku as Sunny’s father deliver strong performances. Mahesh Jadhavnas effectively brings the menacing Kakuda to life.

Direction and Music:
Director Aditya Sarpotdar blends horror and comedy with skill. He pays close attention to detail in the ethnic settings and well-etched characters. The film maintains high technical standards throughout.

Gulraj Singh’s music is minimal but effective. The track “Bhasma” stands out, enhancing the eerie atmosphere. “Shukra guzaar” is pleasant, although Gulraj’s attempt to mimic Arijit Singh is noticeable.

The Last Word:
“Kakuda” offers a fresh and funny horror-comedy that successfully blends fear and humor. With engaging content and well-crafted characters, the film provides an entertaining watch. Although it missed a big-screen release, it remains a strong choice for OTT viewers.