Kapkapiii Movie Review: When Horror and Humor Both Miss the Mark
Blending horror and comedy is a tricky art—and one that Kapkapiii doesn’t quite master. Helmed by the late Sangeeth Sivan, this remake of the Malayalam hit Romancham aims for a spooky laugh-fest but ends up caught in limbo between forced scares and underwhelming humor.
The story revolves around a bunch of aimless young men living in a rundown apartment in Faridabad. With little to do, Manu (Shreyas Talpade) initiates a session with a Ouija board, dragging his equally idle roommates into the spirit-summoning game. When things start going eerily wrong, Manu calls on his friend Kabir (Tusshar Kapoor) for help—only to find the situation getting even more bizarre.
Script Analysis:
Horror-comedy thrives on clever writing and tight direction, neither of which Kapkapiii fully delivers. Writers Saurabh Anand and Kumar Priyadarshi borrow from Romancham but strip it of its quirky charm and cultural nuance. The humor is largely juvenile—packed with lazy toilet jokes and double entendres—and the horror elements are too generic to make an impact.
While the premise had potential for light-hearted frights and funny chaos, the narrative meanders aimlessly. The first half drags on with stale banter, and just when the second half promises some momentum with Tusshar Kapoor’s entry, it quickly fizzles out again. The ending, which seems to hint at a sequel, feels more like a letdown than a cliffhanger.
Performances:
Shreyas Talpade brings his usual comic timing to the table, portraying Manu with the right mix of sarcasm and confusion. Tusshar Kapoor, in a brief but significant role, adds a slightly offbeat energy to the ensemble but is unable to rescue the overall tonality of the film.
Among the supporting cast, Sonia Rathee shines in her role as the enigmatic and possibly possessed Madhu. Siddhi Idnani does well within her limited scope. Abishek Kumar and Varun Pandey give sincere performances, while Jay Thakkar and Dinker Sharma contribute to the film’s lighter moments. Zakir Hussain is, unfortunately, underutilized.
Direction & Music:
Sangeeth Sivan’s direction reflects moments of technical flair—such as Kabir’s nighttime stroll or Madhu’s cryptic conversations—but these are too few and scattered to elevate the film. His prior ventures like Kyaa Kool Hain Hum and Apna Sapna Money Money showed sharper comedic instinct. Kapkapiii lacks that same comedic edge and tonal consistency.
The horror scenes feel formulaic, relying on predictable jump scares and moody lighting. Even the comedic bits fail to land, mostly due to lackluster writing.
Ajay Jayanthi’s music and background score are forgettable at best. There’s nothing here that lingers or enhances the mood—something a horror-comedy desperately needs.
Final Verdict:
Kapkapiii is a misfire in a genre that demands precision. Despite capable actors like Shreyas Talpade and Tusshar Kapoor trying to breathe life into their roles, the film fails to entertain, scare, or engage meaningfully. It’s another case of a remake that simply didn’t translate.
Rating: ★½â˜†â˜†â˜† (1.5/5)
Skip it unless you’re watching for the cast. Horror-comedy fans deserve better.
