Exclusive | Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma on 'Rahu Ketu': 'The comedy will feel similar to 'Fukrey', but the world is very different'

For actors who have spent years playing chaos with precision, Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma believe that the real work begins when ego is left behind. Speaking exclusively to Firstpost’s Zinia Bandyopadhyay ahead of the release of Rahu Ketu, the duo opened up about creative vulnerability, trusting directors, and why this film marks a tonal shift from the madness audiences associate them with.

Pulkit on his approach to acting

Pulkit, reflecting on his approach to acting, stressed that performance cannot coexist with self-consciousness. “We don’t go to set because we have to impress each other. That is the least worry,” he said. “You have to be there without any kind of inhibition. You have to go to a bare set, and you don’t have any ego. Because if there is ego, if you’re full of yourself and trying to impress people, you won’t be able to take a second take.”

He added that perfectionism often becomes a trap. “People want to be perfect, to be one-take artists. With all due respect to those who have that calibre, we won’t be able to reshoot then. And we won’t compromise on quality.”

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Pulkit credited director Mrigdeep Singh Lamba for shaping their craft early on.
“He saved our four to five years of experience. We got the best teacher, the best taskmaster, the best guru, though he’ll kill us for calling him that, but guru Mrigdeep Singh Lamba is genuinely the reason why we are able to do what we do (comedy).”

‘Vipul Vig has known us for 14 years’

Varun Sharma echoed that sentiment, drawing parallels with Rahu Ketu director Vipul Vig’s working style. “Vipul sir also gives you that playground,” Varun said. “His approach is very different. He treats it like theatre. He asks you, ‘What do you want to do first? You tell me, then I will tell you.’”

Pulkit elaborated on why Vipul Vig’s presence has been crucial in shaping Rahu Ketu.
“Vipul’s approach is very open. He’s known us for over 14 years now. He was the writer of Fukrey 1, Fukrey 2, and _Fukrey 3_. He’s been on sets with us, part of readings. He knows how to break that pattern and bring in a new one.”

‘Comedy of Rahu Ketu will feel similar to Fukrey, but the world is different’ 

That familiarity, Pulkit explained, is precisely why Rahu Ketu will feel different. “The chaos, the madness, the comedy will feel similar, but the world is very different. It’s more colourful, and it has a huge fantasy element. You’d never think Rahu Ketu would be made like this, and that’s the idea.”

The film also draws from astrological symbolism, which Pulkit says is often misunderstood. “Everyone is scared of Rahu and Ketu. That ‘Rahu’s condition has worsened, Ketu’s alignment has gone wrong, so our work, health, and business will get ruined’. But when we started working on the film, we understood something else.”

Watch the trailer of ‘Rahu Ketu’ here:

Simplifying it, he said, “Rahu and Ketu reward you proportionately to your karma. It’s basic math. You do a good deed, you get a lot of reward. Rahu’s job is to give you wealth, name, fame, everything. Ketu’s job is to give you detachment, freedom, salvation.”

For Pulkit, that philosophy sits at the emotional core of the film. “That feeling where you say, ‘I am complete in life’ that’s Ketu’s job. And you only reach that point when you’re a good human being.”

With Rahu Ketu, Samrat and Sharma promise familiar madness, but filtered through a new world view, one where fantasy, philosophy and freedom collide. The film is set to release on January 16.