The fantasy-adventure comedy Rahu Ketu, headlined by Pulkit Samrat and Shalini Pandey, continues to face an uphill battle at the box office. Released in theatres on January 16, the film has recorded modest numbers so far, reflecting mixed audience reactions and limited pre-release buzz.
After a low-key opening, Rahu Ketu showed only minimal movement on its second day, struggling to find solid footing amid stiff competition.
Day 2 collections remain muted
According to early trade estimates from Sacnilk, Rahu Ketu collected around ₹0.35 crore on Day 2 (till 12 pm). With this, the film’s total India collection now stands at approximately ₹1.35 crore.
The film has also fallen slightly behind its direct box office rival Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, starring Vir Das, which has managed to pull ahead by a few lakhs, touching around ₹1.73 crore in two days.
Low occupancy points to limited traction
Audience turnout on Saturday remained subdued. The film registered an overall Hindi occupancy of just 5.11%, with morning shows also hovering at the same level. Trade analysts suggest that the lack of aggressive promotions and minimal pre-release hype have directly impacted footfalls, especially in mass belts.
Unless strong word of mouth kicks in over the weekend, the film may continue to struggle in the coming days.
Budget pressure adds to concern
Mounted on a reported budget of ₹25 crore, Rahu Ketu will need a significant turnaround to stay commercially viable. With collections remaining underwhelming so far, the pressure is now firmly on weekday holds and niche urban audiences to keep the film afloat.
What is Rahu Ketu about?
Set in a whimsical fantasy world, Rahu Ketu follows writer Churu Lal Sharma, whose fictional creations — Rahu and Ketu — magically come to life. Instead of battling corruption or saving the world, the duo unleashes chaos wherever they go.
The plot takes a sharper turn when Meenu Taxi steals Churu’s mystical notebook, dragging the clumsy pair into a series of absurd adventures that eventually land them face-to-face with a drug mafia — all wrapped in slapstick humour and fantasy elements.
Cast and crew
Along with Pulkit Samrat and Shalini Pandey, the film features Varun Sharma, Chunky Panday, Piyush Mishra, Manu Rishi, Amit Sial, and Sumit Gulati in key roles.
The film is directed by Vipul Vig and produced by Suuraj Sinngh, Varsha Kukreja, and Umesh Kumar Bansal.
Speaking about the film’s tone, Pulkit Samrat described it as chaotic and colourful, saying the madness may remind audiences of Fukrey, but stressed that Rahu Ketu lives in a completely different fantasy-driven world.
Final words
At the end of Day 2, Rahu Ketu finds itself in a tricky spot. While the concept promises absurd comedy and fantasy-driven chaos, the box office numbers suggest the film hasn’t yet connected strongly with audiences. With a high budget and low occupancy, the coming weekend will be crucial in deciding whether Rahu Ketu can turn curiosity into footfalls — or fade quietly amid louder competitors.
