Padakkalam Movie Review: Suraj Venjaramoodu and Sharafudheen Shine In This Weak Yet Light Fantasy Comedy
However, despite good performances, the film fails to make an impact due to a weak story and incomplete script.
Padakkalam is a college campus-based Malayalam film directed by debut director Manu Swaraj. The film tries to present an interesting story by combining comedy, friendship, a fight for the Head of Department (HOD) position, and a supernatural element. However, despite good performances, the film fails to make an impact due to a weak story and incomplete script.
Storyline
Jithin (Sandeep Pradeep) is in love with his college classmate Jeevika (Niranjan Anoop), but she suddenly breaks up with him. Meanwhile, there is a strike in the college, and Jithin's department is accused of getting the HOD job on the basis of fake documents. Meanwhile, two professors - Shaji (Suraj Venjaramoodu) and Ranjit (Sharafuddin) - try to get the HOD position.
Shaji gets the position on the basis of seniority, but Jithin and his friends notice that Shaji's behavior has become strange. They suspect that Ranjit has taken control of Shaji's body with the help of some tantrik or invisible power. After this, the story progresses like a supernatural mystery.
Positive Points
- The acting of Suraj Venjaramoodu and Sharafuddin is very impressive, especially when the 'body swap' situation comes up.
- Some comic scenes and the camaraderie between the friends entertain.
- The supernatural element brings some novelty, which makes the story different.
Negative Points
- The script is weak and the story seems incomplete.
- Such a fantasy story for the HOD's chair in a college setting seems a bit childish.
- The female characters have been almost ignored; they do not contribute much to the film.
- Both the humor and the mystery lack depth.
Overall: Padakkalam is a light-hearted fantasy comedy based on a college campus. There are some good performances, but the film fails to make an impact due to weak writing, an incomplete story, and superficial characters. If you are looking for light-hearted entertainment, you can give it a try, but don't keep your expectations too high.
