Padakkalam OTT Review: A Mad, Messy, Magical Malayalam Ride
Suraj Venjaramoodu and Sharaf U Dheen headline this campus fantasy-comedy that’s winning hearts on Jio Hotstar despite critical jabs.
Not every film comes with a PR blitz. Some just stumble into our screens, a little scruffy, a bit weird, and somehow… stick. Padakkalam, the Malayalam fantasy-comedy that dropped on Jio Hotstar this past week, is exactly that sort of film. It’s strange, unapologetically chaotic, and oddly charming — the kind of OTT surprise you didn’t plan to watch, but end up texting your group chat about anyway.
A Bizarre Campus, A Cursed Board, And Two Very Confused Professors
The setup reads like a stoner pitch from a college canteen: two engineering college professors — one sly, one self-righteous — end up in a bitter war over a promotion. When Shaji (played by Suraj Venjaramoodu) gets the HOD title over Ranjith (played with full mischief by Sharaf U Dheen), things go off the rails.
Literally. Because Ranjith pulls out a mysterious Pachisi board (yes, the game your uncle used to cheat at), performs some low-budget sorcery, and swaps bodies with Shaji. No explanation given. None needed, apparently.
That’s where four students — led by Jithin, played with surprising ease by Sandeep Pradeep — stumble in. They discover the board, realise something’s seriously off with the faculty, and decide to fix the mess. Except, they’re idiots. Lovable, meme-worthy idiots.
Critics Scoff, Audiences Laugh
Critics didn’t exactly shower the film with roses. Indian Express gave it a brutal 1.5 out of 5, calling the writing “completely lost.” Hindustan Times wasn’t much kinder — a flat 2 stars, citing lazy storytelling.
But let’s be honest: this isn’t a film made for Sunday supplements and thinkpieces.
Popcorn Reviewss praised it as a “mad, brilliant concept,” and Cinema Express admitted it’s “slightly flawed,” but still manages to be fun. Which — for a film that involves black magic in a government college — is already a win.
Then there’s the internet. Reddit’s r/MalayalamMovies is glowing with posts. One user summed it up best: “Feels like my final year hostel nights — chaotic, dumb, and a lot of fun.” X (formerly Twitter) wasn’t far behind. People loved the absurdity. Loved the cast. Loved that it didn’t take itself too seriously.
Box Office? Decent. OTT? Boom.
The film had a quiet theatre release on May 8, didn’t make much noise in the GCC or UK markets either. But surprisingly, it pulled in ₹5.25 crore within the first week, according to updated figures on Wikipedia. Not blockbuster numbers — but for a film like this, not bad at all.
The real magic happened on OTT. Once Padakkalam landed on Jio Hotstar on June 10, it found its tribe. The film started trending, got picked up in weekend watchlists, and was suddenly being compared — quite favourably — to Alappuzha Gymkhana and DD Next Level.
Onmanorama reported it’s now outperforming both those titles in terms of buzz and viewer traction. That’s no small feat for a film that has zero star power, zero franchise value, and a story that includes enchanted dice.
Suraj, Sharaf, And A Whole Lotta Silliness
The cast clearly had fun — and it shows. Suraj Venjaramoodu, who’s more often seen in gritty or emotional roles, goes full-tilt comedy here. The way he carries the mannerisms of another man trapped in his body — wide-eyed, awkward, and just short of breaking into song — is a treat.
Sharaf U Dheen, meanwhile, plays his character like he knows how ridiculous this script is. He leans in, goes big, and somehow makes it work. The supporting students — especially Sandeep Pradeep and the trio around him — give the film its pulse. They’re not polished actors, but they’re real. And that’s what works.
Is It Messy? Absolutely. Is It Fun? More Than You’d Expect.
Look, this film doesn’t try to be smart. The transitions are wonky. Some subplots vanish mid-scene. There’s an unnecessary dance number in a college canteen. The ending wraps up way too conveniently. But none of that kills the vibe.
Because the film’s biggest strength is its refusal to be boring. It keeps moving, keeps throwing curveballs, and keeps finding humour in the absurd. You don’t watch Padakkalam for structure — you watch it for the sheer joy of watching a group of underdogs take on ancient magic like it’s just another group project.
In A World Of Polished Dramas, This One’s A Happy Mess
We’ve gotten used to slick, serious Malayalam cinema — thrillers, family dramas, introspective mood pieces. Padakkalam feels like the rebellion to all that. It’s a shout from the back benches. A comic book skit stretched into two hours. A film that doesn’t care if it’s taken seriously, as long as it makes you laugh.
And for a growing base of OTT viewers, that’s enough. Sometimes more than enough.
FINAL THOUGHT
Padakkalam is that friend who shows up to a formal dinner in a lungi, starts telling ghost stories, and has everyone laughing by dessert. It’s not refined. It’s not elegant. But it’s alive. And in the cluttered world of OTT, that kind of spirit is rare.
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