Padakkalam

Posted on September 30, 2026 by Dr. Tennyson

Vampire Owl: I thought we had reviewed this movie a long time ago.

Vampire Bat: We had watched it long ago, but did not review the same.

Vampire Owl: This might be one of the longest delays in writing any review.

Vampire Bat: It keeps coming on television all the time, so there are multiple watches.

Vampire Owl: I think we have kept watching it on Asianet Movies.

Vampire Bat: Watching it on television channels is not the best option though.

Vampire Owl: Yes, we keep missing parts of the movie at times.

Vampire Bat: But we watch parts of the movie that we missed the next time watch it.

Vampire Owl: But the movie has stopped repeating in the channel now.

Vampire Bat: Well, they have kept doing it for rather too long.

[Gets a Schezwan masala dosa and three cups of Darjeeling tea].

What is the movie about? :: Long ago, at a time when sorcery was considered to be part of common life, the ruler of Vijayanagara had a magical artefact created for his leisure, but understood that the device brought about something more than just entertainment. He realized that this was so powerful that it could even be used to control people or even the world, and tried to keep its existence a secret. But the huge army of Tipu Sultan marched to the declining kingdom and captured the same. This helped the Sultan’s further wars against other Indian kingdoms intending to conquer the lands for himself, as the artefact aided him from a side. But he was stopped by the King of Travancore who inflicted a big defeat to the Sultan’s army with the help of a great wizard. The victorious king decides to bury it in the battlefield itself so that nobody would be able to use it, and marked its location on some secret palm leaves. Soon, the tale itself losses its significance as it is considered as a fable. But many decades later, someone had started searching for the same and found it.

So, what happens with the events here as we just keep looking? :: At present, Jithin (Sandeep Pradeep), Ramzad (Arun Pradeep), Nakul (Arjun Ajikumar) and Kannan (Saaf) are four students who are pursuing their bachelor’s degrees in Engineering at the exact same location where the final war had occurred – there stood a monument surrounded by a reputed institution called Shri Kartika Thirunal College of Engineering. As Jithin’s girlfriend Jeevika (Niranjana Anoop) who returned from a trip brings some doubts about their relationship, he writes down his feelings on a piece of paper, which is taken by the lecturer who was in the class Shaji (Suraj Venjaramoodu). As a strike is called and chaos happens in the college, Jithin losses the idea of where that paper was taken. As the protest for bringing down the Head of the Department intensifies, another lecturer Renjith (Sharaf U Dheen) recommends Shaji as the next Head, which surprises everyone, as they were not on good terms. Shaji is delighted about this as he has been working at the college for a long time without any appreciation, but Renjith actually had other plans.

And what more can happen here as a crisis takes the spotlight? :: Renjith had the ancient artifact in his possession, which he uses to control Shaji and manipulate him into getting into a public fight which leads to him being suspended and Renjith becoming the new Head. This is supported by students as he is a popular teacher who helps students even against other teachers and management when in trouble unlike Shaji who as a learned man has always gone with the rules. The students enjoy their cool and supportive teacher becoming the Head, but Jithin accidentally sees Renjith using the artifact to control Shaji through the CCTV footage while trying to find the piece of paper which Shaji took, and talks about this to his friends. While searching on the artifact, they understand that a person can control another person who uses it by just playing his turn – it is revealed that the other person does not have to use it, and just the missing player’s blood on the dices is needed. They feel that the earlier teacher who died and was replaced by Renjith as new appointment might have also been a victim and decides to steal the artefact, but can they do that?

The defence of Padakkalam :: A supernatural campus story becomes a perfect new model for the viewers who are expecting divergence, and the magical artifact, mind control and body swaps do not usually come to the movies of this part of the world. The big three of the movie – Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sharaf U Dheen and Sandeep Pradeep come up with classic performances not just with the comic side, but also with a certain amount of skill which is reflected even more when the swapping of bodies is done. Sharaf U Dheen going on between a charismatic professor and a power-hungry antagonist, and his moments after body swapping strikes us well, while Suraj’s transformations between characters are outstanding, and humour strikes very well with him around. Sandeep’s comic timing remains outstanding, and he becomes a perfect choice for a campus character. Niranjana Anoop does well within a smaller screen space, while the friends of protagonist add some fine fun around here as the comic side gets further boosting. Pooja Mohanraj also becomes a good addition here.

Positives and negatives :: One might feel that the movie could have explored the past of the artifact a little more, but that is understandable considering the plan to provide maximum entertainment. The movie’s female characters also have very less to do other than being reasons for a few things to happen, which is surprising for a campus movie. The superhero references also add some funny elements, and the situations leading to humour instead of forcing the comic side comes up with more advantage to the flick. The initial setup, character introductions, and the spread of mystery make sure that the starting is nice, and the ending is also very well done. When it seems to be ready to have a slight dip, the situation immediately gets a lift, and thus the movie keeps a certain level. The cast needs to be credited a lot for the same. Many moments also serve as reminders that people are not really what they seem to be, and like seen before Thanneermathan Dinangal, the seemingly better teacher could easily be the least perfect one among them all.

How it finishes :: It is not easy to bring comedy and fantasy together in this part of the world, and the movie does the same so well. This one succeeds primarily as a high-energy campus entertainer that takes the risk to step away from routine college situations and blends the genres in the process. By bringing supernatural elements, mind control and body-swapping to a usual college setting, the film creates something that most people would not have expected to happen in this part of the world. The comic chemistry between Suraj Venjaramoodu and Sharaf U Dheen brings something out of nowhere again and again and keep thins lively and engaging while Sandeep Pradeep takes that title of “Padakkalam Sandeep” with ease even though most of us would love to remember Falimy as the one defining flick for noting him for the first time. Well, this is one entertainer that you do not wish to miss, that is for sure. All the fun with innovation that is seen around here will have us interested all the time. It is on Jio Hotstar, and you might also be able to find it again on Asianet Movies as it has been some time since its last arrival there.

Release date: 8 May 2025
Running time: 123 minutes
Directed by: Manu Swaraj
Starring: Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sharaf U Dheen, Sandeep Pradeep , Arun Pradeep, Arun Ajikumar, Niranjana Anoop, Ishan Shoukath, Vijay Babu, Luckgith Saini, Nahas Hridayath, Saaf, Shaju Sreedhar, Pooja Mohanraj

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@ Cemetery Watch
✠ The Vampire Bat.

Sarvam Maya

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Dr. Tennyson

Vampire Owl: This was supposed to be the movie we were to watch for the Christmas.

Vampire Bat: Well, we missed that for both Christmas and New Year.

Vampire Owl: The first few days of this year will still count as New Year, right?

Vampire Bat: The vampire world does not go by human new year.

Vampire Owl: Yes, I remember that we never really had a calendar here.

Vampire Bat: There is no need for calendars when guided by darkness.

Vampire Owl: The full moon often shows the path towards eternity.

Vampire Bat: We are beyond being guided by forces of nature.

Vampire Owl: We are not really the forces of nature, are we?

Vampire Bat: Eternity is not really part of nature, for it is beyond the same.

[Gets a chilly chicken pizza and three cups of Yorkshire tea].

What is the movie about? :: Prabhendhu N Namboothiri (Nivin Pauly) is an aspiring guitarist who has been training himself to perform in Europe only to find his visa rejected due to the sponsors backing out, while the rest of the members of the troupe make it to the event. He returns to his home in Palakkad to find his cousin Roopesh Namboothiri (Aju Varghese) as a priest who conducts prayers and exorcism, while he had left his faith to become an atheist when his mother died. His brother Deepankuran N Namboothiri (Madhu Wariar) is rarely at home as he has different spiritual ceremonies to perform in different parts of the world among the Indian diasporas. His relationship with his father Neelakandan Namboothiri (Raghunath Paleri) has also been strained after the death of his mother. He decides to remain at home as he has nowhere else to go with his troupe abroad and no better job available for him. Temporarily, he decides to help Roopesh in his work as a Brahmin priest as both of them had learned the essential prayers and chants early enough.

So, what happens with the events here as we just keep looking? :: One day, Roopesh gets injured while performing rituals during a housewarming. This leads to Prabhendhu having to go through the prayers and rituals himself. Soon, he also finds the need to be part of an exorcism – while performing this at an advocate’s house, the ritual seems to have gone too perfect and they receive one lakh rupees with the possessed seemingly alright. But soon, Prabhendu starts experiencing the presence of a young woman who is visible only to him, and it seems that the ghost had left the earlier host and had followed him to his house. The woman has no memory of her identity or past as she lives with the only understanding that she is a spirit, and Prabhendu casually nicknames her Delulu (Riya Shibu), a shortform of delusion, after he had gone to the psychiatrist and was sure that this was just one of his delusions. As he continues to pursue his music career, Delulu accompanies him, and the two stops being doubtful of each other. But what does that mean for the two?

The defence of Sarvam Maya:: The movie has its feel-good factor and humour going in the right direction, and it never stays back on the same. There are so many realizations here which are very well presented with a touch of humour, and the messages come strong. The protagonist’s tale is that of everyman who is going through a struggle during his youth and middle age due to the feeling of a need to follow passion, and thus is a totally understandable side. There are not many other who can do this better than Nivin Pauly, and the addition of the new girl who can manage the early-twenties ghost so well within a new generation cage is much acceptable. The clash between tradition and modernity as well as the belief in God and the so-called style of declaring oneself an atheist with passion remains in the thought process here. There is surely no dark side in the movie, as one keeps moving within the lighter side, never going out of control. This keeps reminding us that there is only one real family movie for Christmas and New Year, and the hundred crore gross is just the beginning and there is more to it.

The claws of flaw :: The eternity of opportunities provided here and not taken, seemingly due to innovative choices beyond the safe zone not being implemented by the makers. Some moments surely feel like not needed as the movie is a little bit too long for this type of a content – some characters are just around there for the sake of being present. The background tale of the ghostly girl feels half-baked as there is not much of a clarity around there, despite the ambiguous ending being okay. The overall strength is often lost at times. Still, the makers should remember that this is working as a feel-good movie and not horror comedy, and therefore the mysteries are better left understood rather than keeping something for another ghost in the sequel which would haunt with more strength. Even though the ghostly girl claims to be Mar Thoma, there are moments which make one feel that the person is more Catholic with her beliefs, which seems to be a serious misconception related to faith, something which was seen in a more miserable fashion in Georgettante Pooram.

The performers of the soul :: The movie which is celebrated as the grand return of Nivin Pauly to the family audience, surely depends on him to keep things going, and raise the level with a touch of humour and drama. Even then, we would continue to miss that face of Thattathin Marayathu and Premam which might not ever come back, despite the grand return. Riya Shibu who makes her debut scores big too, and one has the feeling that she might be being herself as a new generation representative, but that is done in a really convincing and interesting manner. One would feel that Preity Mukundan should have been given a bigger role, but she is indeed so good, a lot better than even her full-time presence in Maine Pyar Kiya. We do not see anyone doing such a role with a charm which is matched my not many actresses of the industry and she would remain lovely throughout her stay. Aju Varghese nicely adds humour here, and we would further love the fact that he is in full flow. Janardhanan and Raghunath Paleri play the seniors considerably well. Madhu Wariar also has his moments while Vineeth and Methil Devika shines.

How it finishes :: The return of Nivin Pauly and his grand entry to the hundred crore gross is something that we will cherish, as he was always the one expected to make an impact as the next generation star, even though so many others got into the 100 crore club alone or as a group, with 2018 and Lucifer along with the sequel providing the same to most of them. For the return of the one actor whom we had considered to be the man of families, we rejoice, and with no Malayalam movie of Mohanlal during this season, this was always the movie which was expected to be the biggest among them all. Getting into a hundred crores for the first time in career after a long break in superhits is indeed an achievement, and with a fine performance on the screen, he supports the box-office records. As we watched this in Phoenix Market City of Chennai at the INOX, this one surely had enough audience even after this many days and in a city where Malayalam is not spoken, the movie is something we would continue to look with appreciation.

Release date: 25th December 2025
Running time: 146 minutes
Directed by: Akhil Sathyan
Starring: Nivin Pauly, Riya Shibu, Aju Varghese, Preity Mukundhan, Janardhanan, Madhu Wariar, Raghunath Paleri, Arun Ajikumar, Methil Devika, Dhruvan Sankar, Vineeth, Jaya Kurup, Althaf Salim, Vijeesh, Reshmi Boban, Saumya Bhagyan Pillai, Srikant Murali, Vijilesh Karayad, Manikandan Pattambi, Niyas Backer, Nandan Unni, R J Twinkle, Salim Marimayam, Basil P Reji, Viji Viswanathan