Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma’s Rahu Ketu, made on a budget of Rs 25 crore, has opened on Friday, January 16, 2026, amid moderate expectations. The quirky film, written and directed by Vipul Vig, follows two characters Rahu and Ketu – often referred to as shadow planets in Indian astrology – who come to life from a writer’s magical notebook, for a noble purpose. As the movies oscillates from funny to silly, and plot derails in second half, many viewers felt disappointed.
Meanwhile, people are posting mixed reviews on social media with some X users calling it an underwhelming watch, while other liking the light-hearted comedy. However, Pulkit and Varun don’t disappoint as the two actors are successful in lifting up entertainment quotient a bit.
A breezy entertainer
Positive reviews first. Rahu Ketu is a light-hearted comedy and even when it struggles with inconsistent storytelling and overstretched gags, it does entertain in parts, and netizens have acknowledged the effort, calling it a “hilarious, light and hatke film.”
“A light-hearted laugh riot that clicks from the word go. Simple plot, good laughs, and a quirky spin on astrology that works well,” a netizen tries to sum up the film in short.
Slow pace
Another social media user noted that the film’s music complements the plot well, but pacing of the film stops it from being a complete entertainer, pointing that the first half could have been handled more efficiently.
“Other than that, this is a good watch for a light entertainer,” says the user.
Performances steal the show
Most netizens agree that the film puts up a good show at performance front, with both Varun and Pulkit pulling off their roles well.
“Performance wise, Varun Sharma is the real backbone of the film as he carried it on his shoulders! What a comic timing, what a dialogue delivery, everything is so, so good. Pulkit Samrat is good too in his sequences and delivers a very good performance. Shalini Pandey and the other star cast have done pretty well too,” reads a review.
“Pulkit Samrat performed very well in the film, have said this before, saying it again, he deserves more mainstream commercial films. His charming screen presence is always a delight to watch; in Rahu Ketu, he once again proves his acting mettle,” says another social media user.
What the film lacks
Many feel the film has “inconsistent storytelling, repeatedly building momentum only to lose it soon after.”
A netizen said that “the humour is uneven, with several gags overstretched and others feeling like mere filler.”
Some netizens also criticised the messy second half which makes Rahu Ketu an unsatisfactory watch.
In all, the film could have been better with a tighter storyline, but still a decent watch with good performances and comedy.