Kartam Bhugtam Review: Shreyas Talpade's Latest Fails To Innovate In The Revenge Genre

Kartam Bhugtam Review: Soham Shah, known for directing films like Kaal and Luck, has returned with Kartam Bhugtam. Despite his previous films not performing well at the box office, Shah has consistently aimed to present fresh concepts. The trailer for Kartam Bhugtam left much to the imagination, sparking curiosity about its storyline. But does the film live up to expectations? Here's our detailed review.

The plot centres around Dev (Shreyas Talpade), who returns to India from abroad to sell his father's property. However, he encounters numerous obstacles that prevent him from completing the sale. Seeking help, Dev consults an astrologer named Anna (Vijay Raaz), who advises him on certain actions. Initially, these actions seem to work in Dev's favour, but his blind faith in the astrologer soon begins to affect his mental health. The unfolding events form the crux of the story.

Upon the release of Kartam Bhugtam's trailer, it appeared to focus heavily on astrology and superstitions. While the first half of the film does explore these themes, the narrative shifts dramatically in the second half, transforming into a revenge drama reminiscent of Abbas-Mustan's style.

The movie starts off slowly but gains momentum as it progresses. The interval block is particularly engaging and raises anticipation for what follows. Unfortunately, the second half fails to maintain this engagement. The plot twists are predictable, and Dev's character achieves his goals too easily. A stronger screenplay and better narration in the latter half could have significantly improved the film.

Shreyas Talpade delivers an honest performance as Dev, showcasing a different side compared to his usual comedic roles. Vijay Raaz also performs well in his role as Anna. Madhoo, making her Hindi film comeback, does a commendable job despite her character being somewhat caricatured.

However, Aksha Pardasany stands out with her confident performance and strong screen presence. Her portrayal is likely to be a highlight for viewers who watch the film.

Overall, Kartam Bhugtam does not entirely meet expectations set by its trailer. While it attempts to convey messages about karma and retribution, these themes have been explored in many previous revenge thrillers. Consequently, the film offers little that is new or innovative.