Film: Kakuda

Cast: Riteish Deshmukh, Sonakshi Sinha and Saqib Saleem

Director: Aditya Sarpotdar

Rating: 1.5 moons

Set in the quaint village of Ratodi in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, Kakuda tells the story of a community living under the shadow of a mysterious and enduring curse. Each house in Ratodi features two doors: a standard-sized one and a smaller one, the latter of which must be opened at exactly 7:15 p.m. every Tuesday. If the ritual is not followed, the wrathful entity Kakuda punishes the household's male members.

Sonakshi Sinha plays Indira, a well-educated and cheerful village girl, while Saqib Saleem portrays Sunny, her secret lover and eventual husband. Their clandestine marriage takes a dark turn when Sunny realizes he has forgotten to open the smaller door at the specified time, resulting in a curse. Initially skeptical, Indira seeks medical help for Sunny, but when science fails, she turns to Victor, a quirky ghost hunter played by Riteish Deshmukh. Together, they face numerous challenges and uncover mysteries in their quest to lift the curse.

Sonakshi Sinha brings charm to her role as Indira, infusing her character with humor and intelligence. Riteish Deshmukh's portrayal of Victor adds a comedic touch to the film, showcasing his talent for playing humorous roles. Saqib Saleem as Sunny fits the role of a simple, scared village boy, but his performance does not stand out significantly.

Kakuda struggles with an uninspired storyline that heavily borrows elements from films like ‘Stree’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa,’ failing to bring anything new or noteworthy to the genre. The humor is mediocre at best, and the narrative lacks depth and originality. Despite the efforts of the cast, the characters feel underdeveloped and the overall execution falls flat.

With its derivative plot and lackluster humor, Kakuda doesn't offer much beyond a one-time watch. Reflecting its shortcomings and missed opportunities for a more engaging and unique cinematic experience.