Director: Vipul Vig
Rating: ⭐⭐1/2
Releasing today amidst decent buzz, "Rahu Ketu" markets itself on the tried-and-tested chemistry of Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma. Written and directed by Vipul Vig (the writer behind the Fukrey franchise), the film attempts to break the mould of standard slapstick comedies by injecting a heavy dose of fantasy and meta-humour.
The result is a film that is refreshingly experimental but undeniably messy. It is a "brain-fry" entertainer—one that requires you to suspend disbelief entirely to enjoy the ride.
The Plot: When Fiction Hits Reality
The premise is the film’s strongest asset. Churu Lal Sharma (Manu Rishi Chadha) is a struggling writer who owns a magical notebook. The characters he sketches in this notebook—Rahu (Varun Sharma) and Ketu (Pulkit Samrat)—unexpectedly spring to life.
True to their astrological namesakes, the duo are walking disasters—"Manhoos" (unlucky) entities who spread chaos wherever they go. Their existence turns upside down when the magical notebook is stolen by a crafty, street-smart thief named Meenu Taxi (Shalini Pandey).
Rahu and Ketu must embark on a wild road trip to retrieve the notebook and rewrite their own destinies before they are erased from existence. Along the way, they get entangled with a drug mafia and a quirky antagonist, Moderchai (Chunky Panday).
Performances
Pulkit Samrat (Ketu) & Varun Sharma (Rahu): The "Honey-Choocha" energy is repurposed here with a twist. Varun Sharma continues his streak of playing the lovable goofball, but as Rahu, he gets to explore a slightly more cynical side of comedy. Pulkit Samrat is energetic and earnest as Ketu, handling the action sequences (involving a bo-staff) surprisingly well. Their timing is telepathic; they know exactly when to hold a pause and when to scream for effect.
Shalini Pandey as Meenu Taxi: Shalini is the spark plug of the film. She brings a manic energy that matches the leads and holds her own in the comedy scenes. Her character adds the necessary friction to the bromance.
The Supporting Cast:
Piyush Mishra (Foofa): As expected, he eats up the scenery with his eccentric dialogue delivery. The opening credits, voiced by him, are a highlight.
Chunky Panday: He plays the villain with a comic flair, though his character feels like a caricature we have seen him play before.
Direction and Writing
Vipul Vig makes a bold directorial debut. The concept of "characters coming to life" is reminiscent of Stranger Than Fiction but treated with a distinct "North Indian desi" flavor.
The Good: The dialogue is sharp, witty, and laden with the kind of street slang that made Fukrey a hit. The first half moves at a breakneck speed, setting up the fantasy world effectively.
The Bad: The screenplay gets exhausted by the second half. The "chaos" often turns into noise, and the narrative logic takes a backseat to loud gags. The sub-plot involving the drug mafia feels tacked on and dilutes the unique fantasy premise.
Technical Aspects
Visual Effects (VFX): For a mid-budget comedy, the VFX used to depict the characters "glitching" or entering the real world is decent, though the "AI visuals" mentioned in marketing are more of a stylistic choice than a technical marvel.
Music: The background score is quirky and elevates the funny scenes. The song "Kismat Ki Chaabi" is catchy, but the removal of the viral "Kantara scream" (due to Censor Board mandates) leaves a noticeable audio gap in a key scene.
Box Office & Reception
Opening: The film has started well in the North Indian belt, particularly Delhi-NCR and Punjab.
Audience Pulse: Early shows suggest that the youth are enjoying the unique concept and the dialogues. However, family audiences might find some of the humor (despite the U/A 16+ cuts) a bit edgy.
Final Word
Watch it if: You are a fan of the Pulkit-Varun duo and want to see a comedy that actually tries something new with its plot. It’s a fun, mindless weekend watch.
Skip it if: You prefer structured narratives and dislike loud, chaotic comedies where logic is optional.
Highlights:
The unique "Meta" concept.
Pulkit and Varun's effortless chemistry.
Shalini Pandey's spirited performance.
Lowlights:
Messy second half.
The drug mafia subplot drags the film down.
