Padakkalam (2025) Movie: This Supernatural Campus Comedy Hits Different Than Expected
Padakkalam (2025) is a Malayalam black comedy fantasy film directed by Manu Swaraj. It stars Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sharaf U Dheen, and Sandeep Pradeep in lead roles. Released on May 8, 2025, this supernatural comedy brings something fresh to Malayalam cinema.
| Movie Title: | Padakkalam |
| Release Date: | 8 May 2025 |
| Runtime: | 2h 3m |
| Director: | Manu Swaraj |
| Genres: | Comedy, Fantasy |
| Rating: | 7/10 star |
| Starring: | Sharafudheen, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sandeep Pradeep |
| Production Company: | Friday Film House, KRG Studios |
| Lead Actor: | Suraj Venjaramoodu |
The film blends campus life with fantasy elements in ways we haven’t seen before. Produced by Vijay Babu and Vijay Subramaniam under Friday Film House, it runs for 124 minutes of pure entertainment.
Padakkalam Cast
| Cast | Character |
|---|---|
| Sharafudheen | Renjith |
| Suraj Venjaramoodu | Shaji |
| Pooja Mohanraj | Shobha |
| Arun Ajikumar | Nakul |
| Saaf | Kannan |
| Ishan Shoukath | Lijo |
| Sandeep Pradeep | Jithin |
| Nahas Hidayath | |
| Arun Pradeep | Ramsad |
| Niranjana Anoop | Jeevika |
Plot and Story
The story follows four college friends who discover their professor’s mysterious dice board. What starts as innocent curiosity turns into supernatural chaos when they realize the board has magical powers.
Jithin, Ramsad, Nakul, and Kannan are engineering students who get caught up in their professor’s dark secrets. The professor uses black magic to control people, leading to hilarious and thrilling situations.
I found the plot quite engaging, especially how it builds up the mystery. The story combines ancient magic with modern college life in a way that feels natural.
Cast and Performances
Sandeep Pradeep delivers his best performance yet. He handles both comedy and drama with ease, especially in the emotional breakup scene and action sequences.
Sharafudheen and Suraj Venjaramoodu bring excellent chemistry to their roles. Both actors compete to give their best, creating memorable moments throughout the film.
The four friends have natural chemistry that makes their friendship believable. Their comic timing and energy keep the film entertaining from start to finish.
Direction and Writing
Manu Swaraj makes an impressive directorial debut. He shows clear vision in balancing magical elements with grounded humor without going overboard.
The first half builds strong foundations with engaging sequences. However, the second half struggles to maintain the same energy and momentum.
I appreciated how the script addresses audience questions through character interactions. This makes the supernatural elements more believable and engaging.
Technical Aspects
Rajesh Murugesan (from Premam fame) creates a solid 5-song soundtrack. Tracks like Chaduranga Poru and Raahukaalam complement the film’s whimsical tone well.
Anu Moothedath’s cinematography captures both campus atmosphere and supernatural sequences effectively. The visuals maintain good quality throughout the runtime.
Nidhin Raj Arol’s editing keeps the pace steady, though some dance sequences feel out of place in the narrative flow.
What Works
The comedy timing is excellent, and the twists keep you hooked throughout. The film maintains curiosity and engagement without losing audience interest.
The friendship portrayal stands out as particularly authentic. Emotional scenes transition smoothly into comedy, creating a balanced viewing experience.
This feels like Malayalam cinema’s answer to Jumanji with original storytelling that hasn’t been attempted in Indian cinema before.
What Could Be Better
The climax could have been more thrilling. For a supernatural premise, it needed maximum tension and conflict to create lasting impact.
Some sequences feel rushed, especially when establishing characters and supernatural elements simultaneously. The pacing becomes uneven in the latter half.
Certain bizarre situations might not appeal to viewers who prefer more realistic narratives over fantasy elements.
Critical and Public Reception
Hindustan Times rated it 2/5 stars, calling it a decent attempt but criticized the poor writing that lets down the film.
Times of India praised it as a whimsical campus carnival with a supernatural twist, appreciating the vibrant and imaginative setting.
IMDb users gave it 7.2/10, with many calling it refreshingly original and thoroughly entertaining despite some narrative flaws.
Public reception has been positive among audiences seeking light entertainment. Many found it an unexpected jackpot for weekend viewing.
The film became a commercial success and started streaming on JioHotstar from June 10, 2025.
My Rating: 3.5/5
