Padakkalam Movie Review
Padakkalam: A Witty Supernatural Concept That Struggles to Soar
Padakkalam presents a refreshingly quirky supernatural concept set in a college, but its promising premise fizzles out with inconsistent writing and missed opportunities for deeper engagement.Manu Swaraj's debut film Padakkalam is a supernatural comedy drama that blends campus antics with fantasy, bringing a unique twist to the familiar setting of student rivalries and academic politics. The film steps away from routine college fare to introduce a whimsical premise-a mystical game board made from stone with strange powers, now in the hands of an engineering professor. While the setup is imaginative and piques curiosity early on, the narrative ultimately stumbles in maintaining the intrigue it initially generates.
Set in an engineering college, Padakkalam (which translates to "battlefield") centers on the rivalry between two professors-Shaji (Suraj Venjaramoodu) and Renjith (Sharafudheen)-as they vie for the coveted post of Head of Department. Things take a strange turn when Shaji exhibits erratic behavior, seemingly losing his mind, which leads to the more composed Renjith getting appointed as HoD. However, the twist unfolds when student Jithin (Sandeep Pradeep) witnesses Renjith performing black magic in the staff room. Although his friends Ramzad (Arun Pradeep), Kannan (Saaf Boi), and Nakul (Arun Ajikumar) dismiss his claims at first, they gradually discover that Renjith indeed possesses supernatural abilities-capable of manipulating others through an enchanted board.
As the students try to uncover the mystery behind Renjith's power, he uses it to control Jithin, who becomes a puppet to his professor's will. Jithin's life spirals as he struggles to regain autonomy, and his attempt to rekindle a relationship with his ex-girlfriend Jeevika (Niranjana Anoop) ends in heartbreak. His erratic behavior, driven by Renjith's control, alienates him from his friends as well.
The film gains momentum when the idea of body swapping is introduced, offering moments of humor and confusion. However, the screenplay by Nithin C. Babu and Manu Swaraj doesn't fully capitalize on the potential of this fantasy element. The sequences focusing on Jithin's romantic woes begin to drag, diluting the central conflict. In contrast, the subplot involving Shaji and his wife Sobha (Pooja Mohanraj) adds emotional weight, and Pooja's performance brings warmth and realism, subtly highlighting the difference between fleeting infatuation and enduring connection.
Suraj Venjaramoodu delivers an effortless performance, portraying both Shaji and the body-swapped Jithin with finesse, though the script offers limited scope for exploring the characters' internal dilemmas. Sharafudheen is competent as the antagonist, lending just enough menace to keep the plot afloat.
While Padakkalam boasts a novel concept and offers occasional situational humor, especially during the body-swapping confusion, it ultimately lacks the narrative depth and tension needed to make it consistently engaging. The initial promise of a quirky fantasy tale slowly gives way to a flat second half, leaving the audience with an entertaining yet underwhelming experience.
