कपकपी

The horror-comedy genre, though increasingly popular, demands a delicate balance that many filmmakers struggle to maintain. Kapkapiii, the Hindi remake of the 2023 Malayalam sleeper hit Romancham, is a textbook example of how not to approach this hybrid genre. Lacking in both genuine scares and effective humour, the film quickly loses its footing, becoming a tedious watch.

Set in 2007, the film follows a group of unemployed young men living in a rented house in Faridabad. Their mundane routine takes a turn when two women move in next door. In a bid to impress one of them, Manu (played by Shreyas Talpade) introduces an Ouija board into the mix. To their surprise, the board actually works-soon, a steady stream of locals lines up at their door, seeking answers from the beyond. What begins as a harmless game spirals out of control when the spirit becomes increasingly aggressive. Manu seeks help from his enigmatic friend Kabir (Tusshar Kapoor), unaware that Kabir may bring more chaos than calm. And thus, the film's main narrative begins.

Shreyas Talpade delivers a controlled performance, but the lackluster script and inconsistent direction leave him with little room to shine. Tusshar Kapoor, entering the film post-intermission, shows flashes of comic timing and presence that have been absent from his recent work. Among the supporting cast, Varun Pande is the standout, bringing much-needed energy to an otherwise inert ensemble.

The film's first half meanders aimlessly, relying on clichéd gags and clumsy exposition that neither build suspense nor amuse. Despite a promising setup, the screenplay flounders under the weight of gimmicks. The second half, buoyed briefly by the Talpade-Kapoor dynamic, manages to inject some life into the proceedings but ultimately collapses under its own inconsistency. The climax, poorly conceived and executed, feels like an afterthought.

Visually, Kapkapiii fails to leverage its genre. Horror thrives on atmosphere and tension-both of which are sorely lacking due to uninspired cinematography and a lack of visual cohesion. The music, too, fails to leave an impression, with a jarring item number at the start of the film setting a disjointed tone that never quite recovers.

Director Sangeeth Sivan, in what is his final directorial outing, seems to have aimed for a commercially viable horror-comedy but ends up delivering a confused, lifeless product. Where Romancham found success in its simplicity and relatability, Kapkapiii attempts to compensate with loud humour, cheap thrills, and tired tropes-none of which land effectively.

In the end, Kapkapiii is a missed opportunity-a remake that forgets the core of what made its source material work. With a weak script, uninspired direction, and a failure to evoke either fear or laughter, the film is unlikely to resonate with audiences or critics. Neither spooky nor funny, it vanishes from memory almost as soon as the credits roll.

"Kapkapi" is an average comedy film that fails to impress. The movie starts off slowly, with no horror elements to speak of. However, things take a turn for the worse when Tushar Kapoor enters the scene. His presence seems to drag the movie down, making it below-average and even non-tolerable at times.

The pacing issues and poor direction further exacerbate the problem, making the movie feel like a waste of time. The comedy, which is supposed to be the film's strong suit, falls flat, and the overall experience is underwhelming.

Given the movie's lackluster performance in almost every department, it's safe to say that "Kapkapi" can be avoided without much loss. With its poor direction and unengaging storyline, the film fails to leave a lasting impression, making it a forgettable watch.

Overall, "Kapkapi" is a movie that can be skipped without much regret. Its failure to deliver on its promises makes it a disappointing watch, and its poor direction and unengaging storyline only add to its shortcomings.

What a great story. Really awesome. I loved it. The charm of storytelling is fabulus.

Full marks to the Director. 10/10.

No nudity or vulgurity. Pure Drama. Awesome.

Remember my words in future this movie will get the "cult" title. Remarkable.

The thing that impressed me most was "Innocence".

Each and every character had it's own charm. It's hard to imagine this movie without any of them. This movie is one step ahead of Fukey.

And Story. What a story. This movie has it's own essence. Easy going, soft, grip you to your seat and you completely get lost in the scene that what would come next.

I'm waiting for part 2.

One of the best horror comedy I ever witnessed. Tushar Kapoor and Shreyas Talpade at its best. Watched with my friends and loved the whole storytelling. Recommend to not watch alone, make sure to not watch at night, its bit scary at the end. One of the best Bollywood has ever come in recent timesz. Too good 😊

Kapkapiii turns out to be a major disappointment despite the hype surrounding it. The storyline lacks depth, creativity, and coherence. It feels like the writers simply threw together a bunch of horror-comedy clichés without any real substance or originality. The plot drags unnecessarily and often leaves the viewer confused rather than entertained.

The only saving grace of the film is Shreyas Talpade, whose acting is genuinely commendable. He puts in an honest effort and tries to inject life into an otherwise dull script. His comic timing, expressions, and presence offer brief moments of relief. However, even his strong performance cannot carry the weight of a poorly written movie.

The rest of the cast and direction offer nothing memorable. Weak dialogues, poor editing, and predictable scenes make this film a complete time waste. Even the horror elements fall flat, with unimpressive effects and no real scares.

In short, Kapkapiii is forgettable and not worth your time. It gets 2 stars only for Shreyas Talpade's performance.