Kakuda (2024) - "Dont forget to open door on Tuesday - 7.15"

 

Directed by: Aditya Sarpotdar
Written by: Avinash Dwivedi, Chirag Garg
Produced by: Ronnie Screwvala
Starring: Riteish Deshmukh, Sonakshi Sinha, Saqib Saleem
Cinematography: Lawrence D'Cunha
Edited by: Faisal Mahadik
Music by: Gulraj Singh
Production company: RSVP Movies
Distributed by: ZEE5
Release date: 12 July 2024
Country: India
Language: Hindi

Plot:

"Kakuda" is set in a town trapped by a supernatural curse. The townsfolk must keep a tiny door beside their main door open every Tuesday night at 7:15 PM to avoid a curse that dooms the male members of the household. The film begins with an example of a ghost victim, setting a chilling tone.

The narrative introduces the love couple, Saqib (Saqib Saleem) and Sonakshi (Sonakshi Sinha), who are deeply in love but face opposition from their families. Due to circumstances, Saqib becomes cursed. Riteish (Riteish Deshmukh) enters to fend off the ghost and uncovers the story behind the curse and why it haunts the town.

Performances:

• Riteish Deshmukh: Riteish delivers a standout performance, blending his comedic timing with the film's eerie elements. His character’s humor provides a refreshing contrast to the horror.
• Sonakshi Sinha: Sonakshi, playing a dual role, brings depth to her characters and contributes significantly to the film's emotional core.
• Saqib Saleem: Saqib plays his role well, adding to the narrative's emotional weight.
• Supporting Cast: The supporting actors, including a notable performance by the actor playing the dwarf character, perform admirably.

Technicians:

• Direction and Writing: Aditya Sarpotdar excels in crafting the comedic aspects but falls short in delivering the essential horror elements. The narrative could have used more tension and scares to balance the comedy.
• Cinematography: The cinematography is decent, but the use of lighting in night sequences is inconsistent and sometimes detracts from the horror atmosphere.
• Editing: The editing is competent, but some scenes drag on unnecessarily.
• Music: The soundtrack by Gulraj Singh is effective, complementing the film's tone and enhancing the emotional and comedic moments.

Strengths:

• Performances: Riteish Deshmukh’s performance stands out, and Sonakshi Sinha's dual roles are well-executed.
• Concept: The intriguing concept of the 7:15 PM curse is well-maintained throughout the film.
• Comedy: The comedic elements are well-crafted and provide a refreshing contrast to the horror.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of Horror: The film lacks sufficient horror elements, making it feel incomplete as a horror-comedy.
• Lighting: The inconsistent use of lighting in night sequences detracts from the intended horror atmosphere.
• Execution: The film’s execution misses the mark in creating and maintaining suspense and scares.

My Personal Take on This Film:

"Kakuda" is an entertaining, time-pass movie that can be enjoyed with the entire family. The intriguing concept of the curse sets a promising foundation, and the director manages to maintain this intrigue throughout the film. However, the lack of sufficient horror elements leaves the film feeling incomplete. Riteish Deshmukh's performance is a highlight, bringing his comedic expertise to the role. While the film succeeds in its comedic aspects, a tighter execution of the horror elements could have elevated it to a different level. Overall, "Kakuda" is enjoyable but could have been more impactful with better balance and execution.

Rating: 2.5/5