Padakkalam (2025) Hindi Movie: This Malayalam Fantasy Comedy Works Despite Its Flaws
Malayalam cinema continues to surprise audiences with its innovative storytelling and unique genre blends, and Padakkalam stands as a testament to this creative spirit. Directed by debutant Manu Swaraj, this supernatural fantasy comedy features Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sharaf U Dheen, and Sandeep Pradeep in lead roles.
| Movie Title: | Padakkalam |
| Release Date: | 8 May 2025 |
| Genres: | Fantasy, Comedy |
| Director: | Manu Swaraj |
| Producer: | Yogi G Raj, Vijay Subramanium |
| Lead Cast: | Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sandeep Pradeep, Sharafudheen |
| Language: | Malayalam |
| Runtime: | 2 hours 3 minutes |
| Status: | Released |
Packed with laughter, fantasy, and a fair share of twists, the film seamlessly blends campus life with magical mayhem, offering a fun-filled ride that keeps viewers entertained from start to finish. Padakkalam was released in theatres on 8 May 2025 and later began streaming on JioHotstar from June 10, 2025.
Padakkalam Actor List
| Cast | Seen as |
|---|---|
| Nahas Hidayath | |
| Suraj Venjaramoodu | Shaji |
| Ishan Shoukath | Lijo |
| Arun Pradeep | Ramsad |
| Pooja Mohanraj | Shobha |
| Arun Ajikumar | Nakul |
| Niranjana Anoop | Jeevika |
| Sandeep Pradeep | Jithin |
| Sharafudheen | Renjith |
| Saaf | Kannan |
Plot and Storyline
The plot revolves around 4 boys who try to tackle the evil intentions of their Professor through a mystical dice board on the backdrop of an engineering college. The film follows a group of college students who are die-hard fans of superheroes like Green Lantern and Batman.
Four nerdy comic book enthusiasts find themselves in an unexpected adventure when their school’s charming new professor turns their academic world upside down with supernatural events. The narrative structure cleverly weaves together elements of campus comedy with supernatural thriller aspects.
What makes the plot particularly engaging is how it grounds supernatural elements in a relatable college setting. The characters’ passion for superhero comics becomes a crucial element that connects to the larger narrative, making the fantasy elements feel organic rather than forced.
Cast Performances
Suraj Venjaramoodu delivers another memorable performance that showcases his versatility as an actor. Suraj played his role with perfect comedy timing. His experience in both comedic and dramatic roles allows him to navigate the film’s tonal shifts with ease.
Sharaf U Dheen continues to prove his worth as one of Malayalam cinema’s most dependable actors. His chemistry with Suraj Venjaramoodu creates some of the film’s most entertaining moments, and his ability to balance comedy with the more serious supernatural elements demonstrates his range.
Sandeep Pradeep holds his own alongside the veteran actors, bringing fresh energy to the ensemble. The social media influencers fit well in the comical characters, indicating that the casting choices were well-thought-out to serve the story’s contemporary setting.
Direction and Writing
Director Manu Swaraj successfully handled the film with confidence right from the start. For a debut director, Swaraj shows remarkable understanding of genre conventions and audience expectations. The film gets the backing of clever writing, which elevates the material beyond typical college comedies.
A great movie showcased by brilliant screenplay and excellent performances. The director’s approach to balancing multiple genres – comedy, fantasy, and thriller – demonstrates a mature understanding of storytelling techniques.
I appreciate how the director explains the situations and characters in the next scenes while we’re thinking about them. This attention to audience engagement and clarity in storytelling shows promise for Swaraj’s future projects.
Technical Aspects
The film’s technical team deserves credit for creating a believable supernatural world within the constraints of a college setting. The visual effects, while not groundbreaking, serve the story well and don’t distract from the narrative flow.
The cinematography captures both the mundane college life and the extraordinary events with equal competence. The music and sound design complement the film’s tonal shifts, enhancing both comedic moments and supernatural sequences.
What Works Well
The movie kicks off brilliantly, engaging the audience with amusing moments and a seamless narrative that dives straight into the story without unnecessary detours. The film’s strongest asset is its ability to establish characters and situations quickly.
The story is full of imagination and laughs, which keeps the audience engaged throughout. The blend of genres feels natural rather than forced, creating a unique viewing experience that stands out in the crowded comedy genre.
I found the cast selection particularly good, with each actor bringing their strengths to complement the overall narrative. The film succeeds in creating believable relationships between characters, making the audience invested in their journey.
Areas for Improvement
However, while the first half sets high expectations, the second half struggles to live up to them. This pacing issue is common in many debut films, where the initial momentum isn’t sustained throughout the entire runtime.
The supernatural elements, while creative, sometimes feel underdeveloped compared to the stronger character-driven comedy moments. A more balanced approach to both aspects could have elevated the overall experience.
Some critics found the writing inconsistent, particularly in the film’s latter portions. I felt this was most noticeable during the climax sequences where the supernatural elements needed more development.
Critical Reception and Public Response
IMDb rates the film 7.2 out of 10, indicating generally positive audience reception. Hindustan Times rated 2/5 stars, showing mixed critical response. Pinkvilla described it as an oddball comedy that is imperfect but fun to watch.
Lensmenreviews praised it as A Consistently Funny, Cleverly Written Fantasy Comedy, highlighting the film’s stronger elements. Public reviews have generally been more favorable than some critical assessments.
The film has found its audience particularly among younger viewers who appreciate its contemporary references and superhero culture elements. An out and out laugh treat that pulls you into a mind loop with exciting and engaging story served in a humor template.
Final Verdict
Padakkalam represents a promising debut for director Manu Swaraj and showcases the continuing evolution of Malayalam cinema’s approach to genre-blending. While it has its flaws, particularly in the second half’s pacing and some underdeveloped supernatural elements, the film succeeds in creating an entertaining experience.
The performances, particularly from Suraj Venjaramoodu and Sharaf U Dheen, elevate the material significantly. The film’s willingness to experiment with genre conventions while maintaining strong character relationships makes it a worthwhile watch.
For a debut feature, Padakkalam shows enough promise to make Manu Swaraj a director to watch in future projects. Despite its imperfections, the film delivers on its core promise of entertainment while attempting something relatively fresh in the Malayalam cinema landscape.
Rating: 3.5/5
