Identify: Padakkalam
Director: Manu Swaraj
Solid: Sandeep Pradeep, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sharaf U Dheen, Saaf, Arun Pradeep, Arun Ajikumar, Niranjana Anoop, Pooja Mohanraj
Author: Manu Swaraj, Nithin C Babu
Score: 3/5
Padakkalam is a fantasy comedy entertainer that was launched in theaters on Might 8, 2025. The commercially profitable enterprise is now lastly obtainable for streaming on JioHotstar.
If you happen to’re somebody who enjoys the mix of supernatural parts and humor, right here’s the Pinkvilla assessment so that you can learn.
The Plot
Padakkalam options the story of 4 comic-book nerds in a fictitious school in Kerala. Of their each day lives, they arrive throughout two professors, Renjith and Shafi, who’re each vying for a promotion to turn out to be a Head of Division (HOD).
Nonetheless, suspicious occasions happen, with Shafi performing surprisingly, and Renjith is suspected to be behind it. The nerds uncover that the person makes use of an historical energy that resides inside a cube sport (Pakida), which is how the physique swap is happening.
What occurs to the nerds after they uncover the reality, and whether or not they catch Renjith red-handed, units up the remainder of the movie.
The Good
Beginning off robust, Padakkalam is well one of the crucial enjoyable and comical motion pictures to return out of Malayalam cinema in latest occasions. Debutant Manu Swaraj, who has co-written the screenplay, balances the weather of supernatural fantasy with humor with ease.
Regardless of being a first-timer, the director demonstrates prominence as a seasoned filmmaker who has efficiently blended such uncommon genres in Malayalam. Whereas the story does have its plot holes, the narration makes up for it and presents an entertaining watch.
The film takes us via a easy set-up with the core forged making us giggle out loud at varied factors. The primary actors like Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sharaf U Dheen and Sandeep Pradeep are the headliners who steal the present with their performing.
Whereas such facets stand robust, Premam fame Rajesh Murugesan presents a refreshing and enjoyable album of tracks that considerably turn out to be the id of the movie. For anybody who pays consideration to such particulars, the songs will probably be an earworm that you could hearken to and luxuriate in.
The enhancing by Nidhin Raj Arol is laudable, contemplating the movie’s runtime is slightly below 2 hours, which retains it participating as greatest as potential.
The Dangerous
Padakkalam is definitely a breezy watch to take pleasure in in you’re free time, however it does have its flaws as effectively. Whereas the narration is robust, a mean particular person within the viewers would query why a professor with such historical powers limits his aspirations to turning into a mere Head of Division at a university.
Furthermore, one other query that arises is the usage of feminine characters when there is no such thing as a goal or motive for his or her characters. The movie primarily focuses on the main male characters and ladies, usually for comedic gags that would have been averted.
Just like Aavesham or Romancham, the inclusion of girls characters that serve no goal might have been omitted, and the narrative saved easy with the actors who’re truly wanted.
Nonetheless, such facets could possibly be thought of a matter of creative integrity for the writers, however from a technical standpoint, the cinematography wanted refinement.
The Performances
Within the movie, Suraj and Sharaf U Dheen turn out to be the senior actors to the remainder of the ensemble forged. Acknowledging that, each of them did a number of heavy lifting with their characters.
Particularly for anybody who grew up watching Suraj in comical roles, this may function a minor look again into his common mannerisms that many nonetheless love and maintain nostalgic.
Other than them, Sandeep Pradeep holds a powerful presence, displaying expertise that would make him the following huge factor in Malayalam cinema. Furthermore, actors like Saaf and Arun Pradeep, amongst others, who’re well-known for his or her social media presence, supply fairly a number of memorable moments.
Watch Padakkalam trailer
The Verdict
Padakkalam is just not appropriate for each sort of viewers, neither is it an ideal enterprise with out flaws. Nonetheless, the negatives of the film are what make it natural and enjoyable to observe.
If you wish to watch a filmmaker’s trustworthy try at mixing fantasy and humor, then absolutely don’t miss out on this one.
ALSO READ: Padakkalam OTT Verdict: Field workplace, Twitter assessment of Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sharafudheen’s Malayalam comedy movie