Padakkalam (2025) Movie: Suraj Venjaramoodu’s Supernatural Comedy Hits Different

Manu Swaraj makes his directorial debut with Padakkalam, a film that dares to mix campus life with supernatural chaos. Starring Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sharaf U Dheen, and Sandeep Pradeep, this Malayalam comedy takes viewers into a world where board games control destinies.

The movie hit theaters on May 8, 2025, promising audiences a different kind of campus story. Instead of typical college romance or friendship drama, we get magic, manipulation, and mayhem wrapped in comedy.

Friday Film House and 29 September Works backed this project, bringing together a team that includes Rajesh Murugesan for music and Anu Moothedath for visuals. The result is a film that tries something new in Malayalam cinema.

The Story Behind the Magic

Four college friends live and breathe superhero comics. Batman, Green Lantern, and other heroes fill their conversations and dreams every day. Their peaceful student life takes a wild turn when campus politics meets dark magic.

Professor Ranjith owns a special board game that can control people’s minds and actions. He uses this power against Professor Shaji, who’s about to become the new department head.

The students accidentally discover this supernatural war between their teachers. Jithin and his comic-loving friends find themselves fighting real-life villains instead of reading about fictional ones.

What makes this story work is how it treats magic seriously within a comedy framework. The supernatural elements don’t feel forced or silly because the characters react believably to impossible situations.

Acting That Hits the Mark

Suraj Venjaramoodu brings depth to Professor Shaji, a man trapped by forces beyond his understanding. His confusion and fear feel genuine, making you root for him throughout the movie.

Sharaf U Dheen transforms into a convincing antagonist as Ranjith. He makes the character menacing without going over the top, keeping the supernatural villain grounded in reality.

Sandeep Pradeep shines as Jithin, the comic book fan who must become a real hero. His performance captures the excitement and terror of facing actual supernatural threats.

The supporting cast, including Saaf Boi and other student actors, creates believable friendship dynamics. I was impressed by how natural their conversations felt, especially during comic book discussions.

The group chemistry works because these actors understand their characters’ shared passion for superhero stories. This foundation makes their supernatural adventure feel more authentic.

What Makes It Worth Watching

The humor flows naturally from character situations rather than forced jokes. These students react to magic the way real comic book fans might – with wonder, fear, and determination.

Rajesh Murugesan’s background score supports the story without overwhelming it. The music knows when to build tension and when to let comedy breathe naturally.

I appreciated how the film respects its supernatural premise. The magic has rules and consequences, making the fantasy elements feel substantial rather than convenient plot devices.

The campus setting provides familiar ground for extraordinary events. College life continues around the supernatural chaos, creating amusing contrasts between normal and magical situations.

Where the Film Struggles

Writing consistency becomes the movie’s biggest enemy. Some scenes sparkle with clever dialogue while others feel underdeveloped or rushed through production.

Pacing problems hurt the middle portions where supernatural reveals should build excitement. Instead, certain sequences drag when they need to maintain energy and momentum.

The film sometimes forgets its own rules about how the magic works. These inconsistencies make it harder to stay invested in the supernatural elements.

I wished the script had more time to develop certain plot threads. Several interesting ideas get introduced but don’t receive the attention they deserve for full impact.

Critics vs Audiences

Professional reviewers gave Padakkalam mixed responses, with ratings ranging from 1.5 to 2 out of 5 stars from major publications.

Hindustan Times praised the clean entertainment value but criticized the screenplay’s execution. The Indian Express found the concept fascinating but felt the writing lacked direction.

However, IMDb audiences rated it 7.2/10, showing that regular viewers enjoyed the experience more than critics expected them to.

Many audience members highlighted the comedy timing and supernatural concept as major positives. The gap between professional and public opinion suggests this film connects better with entertainment-seeking viewers.

I think critics expected more polish while audiences appreciated the fresh attempt at genre mixing in Malayalam cinema.

My Take on the Experience

Padakkalam works best when you approach it as pure entertainment rather than cinematic art. The film delivers laughs, surprises, and a genuine attempt at something different.

Strong performances from the main cast overcome most of the script’s weaknesses. These actors make their characters feel real enough to care about their supernatural predicament.

The movie succeeds in creating a unique viewing experience that stands apart from typical Malayalam comedies. While imperfect, it shows ambition and creativity in its storytelling approach.

I found myself entertained throughout, despite noticing the writing flaws. Sometimes a film’s heart and energy matter more than technical perfection.

Malayalam cinema benefits from experiments like this, even when they don’t achieve complete success. Padakkalam takes risks that should be encouraged and improved upon.

Final Verdict

This supernatural campus comedy delivers enough entertainment value to justify your time and ticket money. Manu Swaraj shows promise as a director willing to explore unconventional storytelling territory.

While the writing needs improvement, the performances and concept provide a foundation for enjoyable viewing. Fans of Malayalam comedy will find plenty to appreciate here.

I recommend Padakkalam for viewers who enjoy genre experiments and don’t mind some rough edges around creative ambition.

Rating: 3/5