Padakkalam, a Hindi film blending comedy and drama, made its OTT debut on June 9, 2025. The 2-hour and 4-minute movie was directed by Manu Swaraj, who penned the script alongside Nithin C Babu. Production was handled by Vijay Babu and Vijay Subramaniam, with Friday Film House, 29SeptemberWorks, and KRG Studios presenting the film.
Padakkalam 2025 Movie Overviews
| Movie Name | Padakkalam 2025 Movie |
| Original Language | Malayalam |
| Spoken Language | Hindi |
| Release Date | 9 June 2025 |
| Runtime | 2 hour and 04 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Genres | Comedy Drama |
| Director | Manu Swaraj |
| Producer | Vijay Babu, Vijay Subramaniam |
Padakkalam 2025 Movie Screenshots
Padakkalam 2025 Movie Star Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Sandeep Pradeep | Jithin / Renjith |
| Suraj Venjaramoodu | Shaji / Jithin |
| Sharafudheen | Renjith / Shaji |
| Arun Ajikumar | Nakul |
| Niranjana Anoop | Jeevika |
Padakkalam 2025 Movie Trailer
Padakkalam 2025 Movie Review
The film shines with its fresh premise, blending Jumanji-style fantasy with Malayalam cinema’s knack for quirky comedy, centered on a magical Pachisi board and “parakaya pravesha” (body-swapping). The ensemble cast is a highlight: Sharaf U Dheen’s magnetic duality as Ranjith, Suraj Venjaramoodu’s comedic flair as Shaji, and Sandeep Pradeep’s standout performance as Jithin, especially post-body swap, earn consistent praise.
The young actors (Saaf, Arun Pradeep, Arun Ajikumar) bring earnestness and sharp comic timing, enhancing the group’s chemistry. Rajesh Murugesan’s music seamlessly blends whimsy and suspense, while Anu Moothedath’s cinematography and Nidhin Raj Arol’s editing create a zippy, vibrant campus vibe. X posts hail it as a “full-on entertainer” with “superb chemistry” and a novel concept for Malayalam cinema. The Times of India gave it 3.5/5, calling it a “riotous blend of comic chaos and supernatural spice” with a nostalgic comic-book feel, ideal for fans of nerdy heroes and ghostly twists.
Critics note the screenplay, co-written by Manu Swaraj and Nithin C Babu, falters with aimless writing and convenient plot leaps, like a dream-based revelation that feels unearned. The Indian Express rated it 1.5/5, arguing that despite a fascinating premise, the film fails to capitalize on Malayalam cinema’s familiarity with concepts like body-swapping, delivering only sporadic humor.
Female characters, including Jeevika (Niranjana Anoop) and Shobha (Pooja Mohanraj), are underdeveloped, reducing their impact. Some reviews, like Hindustan Times (2/5), call it a “decent attempt” undermined by flimsy stakes and a simplistic story that plays it safe to appeal broadly, lacking the outlandishness needed for a standout fantasy.
