In recent years, Bollywood has embraced the horror-comedy genre with open arms, delivering a slew of films that blend chills and chuckles. We have seen movies like Stree, Roohi and Munjya masterfully intertwine superstitions and societal issues, setting the bar high for the genre. The latest entrant continues this trend, proving that even with a simple premise, a film can be both engaging and entertaining.
Much like his Munjya, Aditya Sarpotdar’s Kakuda takes the familiar elements of horror and comedy, blending them with a sharp critique of societal norms. The result is a film that not only entertains but also makes you think. Its clever use of superstitions and horror tropes keeps you on edge, while the comedic moments provide much-needed relief.
Kakuda takes us deep into the heart of a remote village, Ratodi, where folklore and superstition reign supreme. The film centers around an eerie legend: every Tuesday at 7.15 PM, a supernatural entity known as Kakuda knocks on the door of every house with two doors — one big and one small. To evade this sinister force, villagers must keep the small door open before the designated time. Failure to do so results in a terrifying curse that targets the male member of the household, causing the growth of a giant tumour on their back, causing the back to hunch and leading to their death within 13 days. Indira (Sonakshi Sinha) appoints Victor (Riteish Deshmukh) – a ghost hunter – as she seeks to save her husband Sunny (Saqib Saleem), from the deadly curse. Along with their friend Kilvish (Aasif Khan), they set out to get to the bottom of the curse.
Not much time spent on establishing the folklore or dismantling it. The simplicity of the premise works both in favour of the film and against it. The horror elements are few and far between, but the ones that are present are not good enough to cause jump-scares. Some of the jokes land, while others don’t. Ritesh Deshmukh, as the ghost hunter brought in to tackle the curse, gets to mouth most of the jokes and delivers them well. It’s a terrific casting choice – for Riteish is fantastic in his role, oscillating between his amazing comic timing and the serious moments. It’s a good reminder of the range Riteish has as an actor. Saqib has little to do but convincingly portrays the anguish of a man marked by a deadly curse and his efforts to ensure his widow finds happiness after his death are touching. Sonakshi Sinha is convincing in a role where she not only confronts superstitions but also brings a surprising twist to the story (watch the film to know more on that front).
The story also mixes horror with societal superstitions. Case in point: it portrays a widow, seen as unlucky and forbidden from socialising. It intertwines these themes to deliver frights and critique customs that were prevalent in communities back in the day or perhaps, to this day, while at it.
However, when the story behind Kakuda is revealed, it leaves a simplistic aftertaste; it isn’t complex or layered, which might disappoint those looking for a deeper narrative. The film also falters in its world-building. The story of Kakuda is not intricately woven into the fabric of the village’s daily life, making the supernatural elements feel way less palpable or real. The ending also seems rushed.
Despite the flaws, the film is an enjoyable film that effectively uses folklore to create a sense of pervasive dread. The performances are strong and the premise sets it apart from typical horror fare. It’s an interesting exploration of superstition, fear and the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones. A good, one-time watch!
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