After the success of “Munjya” at the box office, director Aditya Sarpotdar returns with the horror-comedy flick “Kakuda,” now streaming on Zee5.
Plot and Setting: Sarpotdar transports viewers to the sleepy village of Rathodi, plagued by a curse that endangers men every Tuesday at 7:15 PM. In this fictitious village, each household must keep a smaller door open at the exact time each evening, or face the deadly wrath of Kakuda, a sinister figure that leaves a fatal hump on the back of its victims, who then die within 13 days.
Influences and Comparisons: The film draws heavy influence from the blockbuster “Stree” and fits within the kids’ horror genre, reminiscent of the “Ghostbusters” franchise.
Storyline: “Kakuda” narrates the plight of runaway newlyweds Indira (Sonakshi Sinha) and Sunny (Saqib Salim), who encounter the malevolent spirit Kakuda. Sunny faces a countdown to his final day on earth. Enter ghostbuster Victor Jacob (Riteish Deshmukh), equipped with fancy gadgets and the ability to communicate with ghosts. Adding to the mix is Indira’s sleepwalking sister (Sonakshi Sinha in a double role).
Execution and Performance: Despite the premise, “Kakuda” fails to deliver genuine scares or spookiness. The horror elements are reduced to a creepy figure hanging mid-air, providing occasional jump scares. The screenplay is extremely dull, with events unfolding in a bizarre manner, leaving little impact on the audience.
Highlights: Riteish Deshmukh’s performance is the film’s only saving grace, bringing some flair and managing to elicit a few laughs. However, his efforts are overshadowed by a poor script and lackluster execution.
Conclusion: “Kakuda” is a below-average watch that does not do justice to its genre. It suffers from a weak screenplay and predictable plot, making it a disappointing addition to the horror-comedy genre.
