Now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, is a faithful, scene-by-scene copy of the 2018-released Ratsasan. You know to pay close attention when two characters in a movie—a thriller, no less—discuss a hearing aid with a recording feature because that is what will make the thriller compelling. If this “hint” seems too plain or direct, don’t blame Akshay Kumar’s Cuttputlli, which is currently available on Disney+ Hotstar. It is merely an exact replica of the 2018 film Ratsasan, which was launched. This is Akshay’s second OTT blockbuster and third South adaptation in recent years. Are these statistics making you wonder if Bollywood still has anything new to offer? You are not alone, though.
Arjan Sethi, played by Akshay, is a 36-year-old wannabe thriller filmmaker who reluctantly joins the Himachal Police and brings with him a solid understanding of psychopaths and serial killers. A probable serial murderer suddenly appears in the sleepy town of Kasauli, kidnapping and killing teenage schoolgirls without any apparent rhyme or reason, according to the police. Of course, his superiors in the force do not consider his opinions. One bit of advice from his brother-in-law, Narinder (Chandrachur Singh): put your head down and work, say yes, and don’t attempt to be a “hero.” A piece of advice that quickly becomes obsolete, and not simply because Akshay Kumar stars in the movie and should take the lead role.
Akshay’s Cuttputlli is followed by Ratsasan’s faults. A thriller’s weakest link is its contrived plot aspects, and both Ratsasan and Cuttputlli exhibit that. Despite this, it is generally a pleasant watch due of how closely it adheres to the original. Ratsasan and Cuttputlli caught your attention despite their forced moments. The passages when Narinder, a senior cop himself, begs Arjan to help him recover his daughter, are quickly forgotten. You convince yourself that he is acting in this way not because the movie wants to highlight Arjan’s bravery but because he is currently a sad father. Instead, you concentrate on the horrifying murders, mutilations, and images it conjures. Ratsasan and Cuttputlli both offer you enough of that.
Divya, a particularly fashionable and obstinate schoolteacher played by Rakul Preet Singh, is merely relegated to the role of Arjan’s love interest. If you haven’t seen Ratsasan, she offers a critical hint that leads to a plot surprise you didn’t see coming, yet her flowing hair, sarees, and dream-sequence escape into exotic locations for pointless dance routines with the hero take center stage. SHO Parmar, played by Sargun Mehta, gets to portray a fully developed character with an arc, and she performs admirably. Joshua Leclair as Christopher and Sujith Shanker as Purushottam Tomar both stand out in their brief but vital roles.
Hrishitaa Bhatt, as Seema Singh, Arjan’s older sister, makes a phenomenal comeback, and you must take a moment to let the fact seep in that she’s playing Akshay Kumar’s elder sister. She succeeded in making a mark on the viewer’s mind with her fabulous performance.
Akshay Kumar himself dons the cop uniform once again after Sooryavanshi and fills it quite well. Cuttputlli, now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, is not a bad watch.
