Rahu Ketu is a Hindi movie, released on 16 January 2026, starring Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Shalini Pandey, Manjot Singh, Anupama Parameswaran, and Zoya Hussain. Directed by Remo D’Souza and produced by Zee Studios and Remo D’Souza Entertainment, the film is a comedy-drama that follows two friends embarking on a chaotic journey involving mistaken identities, heists, and life lessons, blending humor with emotional undertones.
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The production aimed to revive the buddy comedy genre with a modern twist, incorporating elements of adventure and social commentary on friendship and ambition. The film started at the box office with subdued expectations, hampered by limited pre-release buzz and competition from festival holdovers like Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu and new entrants during the post-Sankranthi period. Advance bookings were modest at approximately ₹0.5 crore gross, primarily in urban Hindi belts such as Mumbai and Delhi, where the star duo’s appeal from films like Fukrey drew some interest.
Morning show occupancy averaged 8-10% nationwide, reflecting a slow start with collections relying on walk-ins for its light-hearted premise. Early estimates pegged Day 1 India net at ₹1 crore, supported by mixed reactions to the ensemble’s chemistry but critiqued for a predictable plot. Weekend growth was marginal, benefiting from slight jumps in multiplexes, but weekday drops were steep due to negative word-of-mouth on pacing and humor execution. By the first weekend, the film had collected around ₹4 crore net domestically, indicating underperformance for a mid-budget comedy.
Worldwide, contributions from limited overseas markets like the UAE added negligibly, constrained by the absence of pan-Indian dubbing. As of January 24, 2026 (Day 9), daily earnings have dwindled to below ₹0.1 crore, with occupancy under 5% in most theaters, leading to screen reductions amid emerging Republic Day competition. Social media discussions highlighted initial curiosity but noted widespread disappointment, with reports of sparse audiences aligning with its disaster trajectory. Comparative to previous buddy comedies like Fukrey 3, which sustained better through franchise loyalty, Rahu Ketu’s lack of innovation and marketing push resulted in a rapid fade, projecting a final domestic run struggling to cross ₹6 crore net in a challenging market environment.
Rahu Ketu 2026 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Rahu Ketu |
| Directed by | Vipul Vig |
| Written by | Vipul Vig |
| Produced by | Umesh Kumar Bansal, Pragati Deshmukh |
| Actor | Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma |
| Actress | Shalini Pandey |
| Other Cast | Piyush Mishra, Chunky Panday, Amit Sial, Manu Rishi Chadda, Sumit Gulati |
| Cinematography | Manoj Soni |
| Edited by | Manann A. Sagar |
| Music by | Vikram Montrose, Abhijit Vaghani |
| Production Companies | Zee Studios, BLive Productions |
| Distributed by | TBA |
| Release Date | 16 January 2026 |
| Running Time | TBA |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Film Industry | Bollywood |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy |
| Censor Rating | NA |
Rahu Ketu Box Office Collection
| Day | Date | India Gross (crore) | Fluctuation (%+/-) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 16 Jan 2026 | ₹1.18 | (Opening Day) |
| Day 2 | 17 Jan 2026 | ₹1.00 | -15% |
| Day 3 | 18 Jan 2026 | ₹0.99 | -1% |
| Day 4 | 19 Jan 2026 | ₹0.50 | -49% |
| Day 5 | 20 Jan 2026 | ₹0.40 | -20% |
| Day 6 | 21 Jan 2026 | ₹0.35 | -13% |
| Day 7 | 22 Jan 2026 | ₹0.30 | -14% |
| Day 8 | 23 Jan 2026 | ₹0.25 | -17% |
| Day 9 | 24 Jan 2026 | ₹0.35 | +40% |
| Day 10 | 25 Jan 2026 | ₹0.40 | +14% |
| Day 11 | 26 Jan 2026 | ₹0.30 | -25% |
| Day 12 | 27 Jan 2026 | ₹0.20 | -33% |
| Day 13 | 28 Jan 2026 | ₹0.15 | -25% |
| Day 14 | 29 Jan 2026 | ₹0.10 | -33% |
| Day 15 | 30 Jan 2026 | ₹0.10 | 0% |
| Day 16 | 31 Jan 2026 | ₹0.15 | +50% |
| Day 17 | 01 Feb 2026 | ₹0.20 | +33% |
| Day 18 | 02 Feb 2026 | ₹0.05 | -75% |
| Day 19 | 03 Feb 2026 | ₹0.05 | 0% |
| Day 20 | 04 Feb 2026 | ₹0.05 | 0% |
| Day 21 | 05 Feb 2026 | ₹0.05 | 0% |
| Day 22 | 06 Feb 2026 | ₹0.05 | 0% |
| Lifetime India Net | – | ₹6.41 crore | – |
| Lifetime India Gross | – | ₹7.56 crore | – |
| Lifetime Worldwide Gross | – | ₹7.56 crore | – |
Rahu Ketu is a Hit or Flop
Verdict is flop.
What is the budget of Rahu Ketu
The budget is around ₹30 crore
Rahu Ketu Ott release date
- OTT Platform: TBA
- OTT date: Expected 8 weeks post-theatrical.
Our Review
Rahu Ketu attempts to rejuvenate the buddy comedy genre with a tale of two friends navigating heists and personal growth, directed by Remo D’Souza, known for his dance-infused narratives. Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma lead as the mismatched duo, with Samrat bringing earnest vulnerability to his role amid chaotic escapades, while Sharma’s comedic timing shines in slapstick sequences, evoking shades of their Fukrey chemistry. Shalini Pandey adds emotional nuance as a key female lead, grounding the absurdity with relatable dilemmas, supported by Manjot Singh’s quirky sidekick antics and Anupama Parameswaran’s brief but impactful appearance.
Zoya Hussain contributes to the ensemble’s dynamic, though her character arc feels underdeveloped. The film’s technical merits, including lively choreography in action-comedy set pieces and a peppy score, create moments of entertainment, particularly in the first half where the premise builds with witty banter and visual gags. However, the screenplay falters post-interval, succumbing to contrived twists and rushed resolutions that undermine the satirical edge on ambition and loyalty, drawing critiques for lacking the polish of D’Souza’s ABCD series.
Box office performance has been dismal, with collections plummeting after a lackluster opening weekend of ₹4 crore net in India, reflecting poor occupancy trends below 10% from Day 4 onward. In urban circuits, initial curiosity from the star pair’s fan base provided a brief uplift, but negative word-of-mouth on repetitive humor and logical loopholes accelerated the decline, contrasting sharply with Fukrey 3’s ₹100 crore haul through sustained appeal.
Worldwide totals of ₹6.75 crore underscore limited international draw, differing from pan-Indian comedies like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 that leveraged horror elements for broader traction. Against a ₹30 crore budget, the film’s 20-25% recovery highlights marketing shortfalls and timing missteps in a festival-dominated January. Projections for Rahu Ketu anticipate a domestic lifetime net under ₹6 crore, contingent on negligible Republic Day spillover, cementing its disaster status amid 2026’s early releases.
Its thematic nod to friendship and mishaps offers mild escapism, akin to the chaotic fun in Housefull series, yet execution flaws prevent resonance. While Samrat and Sharma’s efforts provide redeemable laughs, the movie serves as a cautionary example for genre revivals, likely finding marginal redemption on OTT where its undemanding vibe could attract casual viewers. Overall, Rahu Ketu underscores the need for innovative scripting in Bollywood comedies, contributing little to the year’s box office narrative beyond a forgettable entry.
Top 15 Opening day movie of Bollywood 2025
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Top 10 Opening day movie of Pulkit Samrat
- Fukrey 3 ₹8.82 cr
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- Bangistan ₹1 cr
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plot of Rahu Ketu?
Buddies Rahu and Ketu retrieve a stolen notebook from a girl, battling mafia in a comedic adventure.
Who are the lead actors in Rahu Ketu?
The film stars Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, and Shalini Pandey in lead roles, with special appearances by veteran actors like Piyush Mishra and Chunky Panday
When is Rahu Ketu releasing?
Rahu Ketu is scheduled to released in theaters on 16 January 2026.
When will Rahu Ketu release on OTT?
The OTT release is expected a few months after the theatrical run, likely between March and April 2026.
Who is the director of Rahu Ketu?
Vipul Vig, who also wrote the script.
Disclaimer:
- Box office figures in this article are independently estimated by Tenvow based on an internal tracking methodology that evaluates theatre occupancy trends, distributor feedback, and regional trade indicators.
- The data reflects industry estimates available at the time of publication and may vary slightly from officially reported or audited figures released later.
- These figures should be considered preliminary and indicative, not official confirmations.
- Tenvow does not guarantee absolute accuracy of the data and presents it solely for informational purposes.
- All financial figures are stated in Indian Rupees (INR) and represented in crores, unless specified otherwise.
- All dates and times mentioned follow Indian Standard Time (IST) (UTC +5:30).
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