Rahu Ketu (2025) Review!!

Synopsis – A writer’s magical notebook brings two bumbling characters to life. When a cunning girl steals the notebook, Rahu and Ketu must retrieve it while battling a drug mafia, discovering their true potential along the way.

My Take – While the past few years has seen Hindi filmmakers hustling around to deliver the next big entertainer with the biggest stars and the biggest budgets, debutante writer-director Vipul Vig, who also penned the ‘Fukrey’ franchise, attempts to upset the routine by weaving mythology and simplicity into a quirky narrative about how karma hits back on your sins, irrespective of the position or power one possesses.

But, though his film contains all the ingredients of a charming mid-budget comedy, from a quirky premise and a rooted setting to actors who understand comic timing, its inconsistent storytelling holds it from reaching its full potential.

Sure, the idea is exciting on paper, mainly as it aims to break away from the usual pattern by attempting something unusual within the comedy space, the execution also leaves one quite frustrated, especially in the climax that drags on far longer than it should have. At times, the film surprises by heading into meta commentary, particularly on writers creating hollow characters without proper arcs, something we have seen far too often in recent films.

However, this sharpness quickly fades away, only to be replaced by repetitive jokes that feel more like padding than progression.

Yet, despite its failings, it serves enough as an easy watch on a tiring day, mainly due to its ensemble cast, light-hearted tone, and situational humor. Indeed, disappointing comparisons with ‘Fukrey‘ films are inevitable, but the film might find its audience within those who enjoy chaotic comedies irrespective of the refinement.

Set in Himachal Pradesh, the story follows Rahu (Varun Sharma) and Ketu (Pulkit Samrat), two young buffoons who are largely despised by people for being perpetually jinxed. Unknown to them they are actually fictional characters, based on the karmic mythological figures, who have literally come to life, thanks to a magical diary called ‘Atrangee Kahaniya’, that was gifted to a storyteller Churu Lal Sharma (Manu Rishi Chadha) by his eccentric uncle (Piyush Mishra).

But though Churu Lal originally created them to act as agents of karma to bring down corruption and evil deeds through their very presence, their actions have instead gained them a reputation for leaving chaos in their wake wherever they go. However, things take a turn for the worse when he introduces a street-smart and wicked young woman named Meenu Taxi (Shalini Pandey) into the mix, hoping that her presence would bring the two men back on track.

But unfortunately, while Rahu falls for her, Meenu, in order to make a quick buck, has her own devious plans in the works, that includes seducing the town’s SHO Deepak Sharma (Amit Sial) and his assistant Bansi (Sumit Gulati), and taking down the Israeli drug boss Mordechai (Chunky Panday).

Here, writer-director Vipul Vig brings a refreshingly different premise that blends mythology with reality through situational comedy. His script leans heavily on the proven chemistry between Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma, and their bromance is the engine that powers the narrative, and their humor is largely situational rather than loud or slapstick, which is commendable.

Mid-budget comedies like this one often come as pleasant surprises because they don’t rely on spectacle; instead, they bank on situations, performances, and relatability. And when they work, they feel refreshingly honest.

Unfortunately, the film doesn’t fully capitalize on this advantage. While the central idea has potential, the screenplay is messy and unfocused.A few scenes do raise laughs, but many jokes feel forced. Large portions of the film feel pointless and fail to move the story ahead. A sharper, wittier script could have elevated many scenes from mildly funny to genuinely memorable.

The pacing is another problem, with a sluggish first half and a stretched second half. It feels like multiple half-formed ideas pushed together instead of one clear film. Also, the introduced fantasy elements are never explored properly, and after a point, the narrative seems to be using the mythology more as a gimmick than as something emotionally meaningful, an element that weakens the storytelling.

Performance wise, Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma are dependable, as always, slipping seamlessly into their roles. Their chemistry is undeniably the film’s lifeline. Many scenes work purely because of their camaraderie and timing. Pulkit Samrat brings a sincere turn and tries to keep things grounded by playing his role straight, while Varun Sharma sticks to his usual slapstick style.

Shalini Pandey exudes confidence throughout and brings sincerity to her role. In supporting roles, Piyush Mishra is effortlessly engaging, adding mystery and humor in equal measure. Chunky Panday is his usual quirky and mostly hilarious, while Amit Sial, Manu Rishi Chaddha, and Sumit Gulati are solid. On the whole, ‘Rahu Ketu’ is a below average entertainer that brings the necessary comedy & chaos, but doesn’t utilize the full potential of its unique premise.