Laxmii (2020)

Laxmii is the kind of horror-comedy that doesn’t just chase screams and punchlines—it swings for something bigger, using possession-movie chaos to smuggle in a pointed message about dignity and inclusion. Raghava Lawrence keeps the vibe loud and theatrical, with set-piece scares and broad humor that play well in a crowd, while the performances give the madness a surprising backbone—especially Sharad Kelkar, who brings real presence and poignancy to Laxmii. Akshay Kumar leans into the physical comedy and sudden shifts in persona, and Kiara Advani helps ground the film when it threatens to fly off the rails. It’s not for viewers allergic to over-the-top Bollywood energy or moderate scares, but if you’re on the fence and want a genre ride with a beating heart, this one earns your curiosity.

Laxmii is clearly trying to mash up jump-scare horror, broad slapstick, and a social-message revenge tale about a wronged transgender spirit, and on paper that’s a spicy combo. The problem is it plays like several different movies stitched together: the tone whiplashes, the rules change when convenient, and the writing often undercuts the very subject it wants you to take seriously. Akshay Kumar’s committed, high-energy performance and a few creepy set-pieces can be fun if you’re in the mood for loud, chaotic Bollywood horror-comedy. But if you want coherent storytelling, consistent scares, or a sensitive, thoughtful treatment of its themes, this will likely feel messy and frustrating rather than entertaining.