The Times of India, Feb 9, 2026, 11.01 AM ISTCritic's Rating: 2.0By Susmita Sameera
Karikaada unfolds across two timelines, blending the present day with a village setting from 1992. The contemporary portion follows a father and his young daughter, living without the mother, who has passed away. The story takes a dark turn when the girl is kidnapped by a man (Yash Shetty) who appears to recognise the father. As the two confront each other, subtle hints suggest a connection from three decades ago. Fragmented flashbacks and blurred visuals gradually reveal that the film is rooted in the concept of reincarnation, leading the narrative back to the past.
The story then shifts to 1992 in the village of Kalsapura, where Kaada (Kada Nataraj) is known as a fearless wild boar hunter. Celebrated by his friends yet constantly targeted by enemies, Kaada survives multiple threats through his sharp instincts. Parallel to this is Kanaka (Niriksha Shetty), who silently loves Kaada and patiently waits for him to reciprocate her feelings. Her hopes are complicated when an elder in her family (Bala Rajwadi) plans to marry her off to his son, triggering a chain of conflicts that escalate rapidly.
As the film progresses, it weaves together themes of revenge, class divide, friendship, betrayal, misunderstandings, romance, and violence. The narrative is dense with incidents, asking the audience to piece together motivations and relationships as the story unfolds.
However, the film struggles with narrative clarity. From the outset, the abundance of elements and frequent shifts make it difficult to grasp who is who and what exactly is happening. This lack of cohesion weakens emotional engagement, making it hard to connect deeply with the characters. Although there are moments of surprise and emotion, they fail to sustain attention for long. Performances lean toward being dramatic and occasionally over-the-top, which further distances the viewer.
On the technical front, Karikaada fares better. The cinematography captures the rural setting effectively, and the music complements the film’s tone, though neither stands out as exceptional.
Overall, Karikaada presents an ambitious reincarnation-based story filled with action and drama, backed by several interesting ideas. Unfortunately, the disrupted flow and uneven storytelling prevent it from reaching its full potential. Viewers who enjoy rural dramas with romantic action elements may still find it worth a watch, provided they are willing to navigate its narrative complexity.