Kartam Bhugtam (2024) Review!!

Synopsis – The film explores the intriguing themes of astrology, black magic, and the belief that our actions repay past deeds.

My Take – Having delivered two star studded features earlier, the supernatural horror Kaal (2005) and the action thriller Luck (2009), the latest from writer-director Soham P. Shah sees him tone down things to deliver a modestly budgeted psychological thriller with a backdrop of astrology and superstition.

A perfect concept considering how India is considered to be a land of mystery with many imaginative tales centered on fate and the supremacy of time. The ancient concepts of karma, numerology and astrology are itself deeply imbibed in most faiths practiced around the country, with almost all believing in the sayings: “what goes around, comes back around” and “as you sow so you shall reap”.

Backed by his signature style of blending mystery and thrills, director Shah has indeed crafted a decent thriller, with some twists and turns thrown in for good measure, but one does wish the execution was better, especially in the second half.

Though the first half is without a doubt exceptional, as we get into the gist of what worries the protagonist has to face and the beliefs he starts adopting, the sudden tonal shift in the 3rd act of the film to revenge drama just seemed too far-fetched and implausible. With the final act upping the antics even more. Leaving the earlier hour’s thought-provoking messaging in the binder somewhere.

Nevertheless, the film is constantly engaging due to the presence of Shreyas Talpade, Vijay Raaz and Madhoo, who not only bring depth to their roles, but also anchor the film with their strong performances.

The story follows Dev (Shreyas Talpade), an Auckland based NRI, who returns to his hometown of Bhopal in India, after a while, with a plan to sell of his late father’s property and access his investments and assets, all in the hopes of financing his own startup in New Zealand.

While trotting around the city with his childhood friend and confidante, Gaurav (Gaurav Daagar), Dev comes across Anna (Vijay Raaz), a mysterious astrologer and numerologist, and is left fazed by him. Particularly, as on his first encounter, Anna predicts that Dev will not be able to go back as planned.

However, his opinion begins to change when Dev finds himself stuck in red-tape and bureaucratic hassles at every step, while Gaurav benefits repeatedly just by following Anna’s advises. With his initial plan of returning to New Zealand after 10 days stonewalled, Dev begin to comply and starts getting entangled in Anna’s world, which also includes his wife (Madhoo) and son (Rishabh Kohli).

Meanwhile, Dev’s long-time girlfriend back home, Jia (Aksha Pardasany) begins to fret for him and decides to travel to India to find him as he has he gone completely incognito.

Hands down, the film excellent highlights how vulnerability seeks relief in odd places and clutches at the smallest hint of hope. Dev represents the common man who put his beliefs in god men, saints, or astrologers and consider them their only means to success. We see how Dev starts trusting Anna blindly and follows his instructions, even the absurd and bizarre ones, to the T, leaving one uncomfortable.

Be it the scene where he aggressively forces the bank officials to give him a new bank account number that totals to seven or the scene when he runs around between stores in mall to find a green shirt to wear before a meeting.

But while the first half plays out perfectly as a psychological thriller as the film displays how blindly people follow astrology, most of whom are dealing with multiple crises at a time, as a mean to seek solutions to their troubles.

The second half moves towards becoming a full-blown revenge drama, something on the lines of a Vikram Bhatt directorial minus the supernatural elements. The unexpected change in genre is baffling to say the least, more so because the revenge element rests solely on a string of coincidences and convenient plot devices. Even after a willing suspension of disbelief, the possibility of something like this happening seems far-fetched.

Nonetheless, Soham P. Shah‘s direction is commendable and the world he has created is both haunting and beautiful. If only he had stuck to exploring complex themes of belief and destiny, we would have left pondering about the mysteries of life long after the film is over.

Performances wise, Shreyas Talpade is immensely sincere and displays the character’s inner turmoil and conflict with finesse. Vijay Raaz is his normal competent self and convincingly portrays Anna. Madhoo is the unexpected delight in this film. As the benevolent Seema who later turns into a mercurial and wannabe glam doll, she is exceptional, especially in her expressions and dialogues delivery.

Aksha Pardasany manages to shine in the second half of the film. In supporting roles, Gaurav Daagar and Rishabh Kohli are adequate. On the whole, ‘Kartam Bhugtam’ is a decent thriller with interesting storyline that fails to captivate thoroughly due to its sudden tonal shift in the second half.