Padakkalam is a Malayalam fantasy-comedy film that combines college life, friendship, supernatural elements, body swapping, rivalry, and plenty of humor. The movie attracted attention because of its unusual storyline and the combination of experienced performers with younger actors.
The film revolves around a group of engineering students who accidentally become involved with a mysterious supernatural game. What begins as a college adventure soon turns into a complicated battle involving possession, body swapping, friendship, and personal ambitions.
The cast of Padakkalam is one of the film’s major attractions. Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sharafudheen, Sandeep Pradeep, Saaf, Niranjana Anoop, Pooja Mohanraj, and several other actors bring different personalities to the story.
Here is a complete look at the Padakkalam cast, actor names, actress names, characters, story, release details, OTT release, and other important movie information.
Padakkalam Movie Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Padakkalam |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Fantasy, Comedy, Thriller |
| Director | Manu Swaraj |
| Writers | Manu Swaraj, Nithin C. Babu |
| Main Cast | Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sharafudheen, Sandeep Pradeep |
| Supporting Cast | Saaf, Arun Ajikumar, Arun Pradeep, Niranjana Anoop, Pooja Mohanraj and others |
| Release Date | 8 May 2025 |
| Runtime | Approximately 124 minutes |
| OTT Platform | JioHotstar |
| Production Houses | Friday Film House, 29SeptemberWorks, KRG Studios |
| Language | Malayalam |
What Is Padakkalam About?
Padakkalam tells the story of four engineering students Jithin, Ramzad, Nakul, and Kannan whose lives take an unexpected turn after they discover a strange supernatural object connected to their professor.
Professor Renjith possesses a mysterious artifact that gives him unusual control over other people. His ambitions become increasingly dangerous as he attempts to use its power for his own benefit.
Jithin eventually discovers what is happening and shares the information with his friends. The students decide to take the mysterious object, but their plan creates even bigger problems.
Renjith retaliates by using his supernatural powers against Jithin. The situation eventually develops into a bizarre body-swapping incident involving Jithin, Professor Shaji, and Professor Renjith.
The students then have to find a way to reverse the situation while dealing with the professor’s plans. The film combines comedy with fantasy and supernatural drama to create an entertaining college-based adventure.
Full Cast of Padakkalam
The movie features a mixture of established Malayalam actors and younger performers.
| Actor/Actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Suraj Venjaramoodu | Professor Shaji K.K. |
| Sharafudheen | Professor Renjith |
| Sandeep Pradeep | Jithin |
| Saaf | Kannan |
| Arun Ajikumar | Nakul |
| Arun Pradeep | Ramzad |
| Niranjana Anoop | Jeevika |
| Pooja Mohanraj | Shobha |
| Ishan Shoukath | Lijo |
| Shaju Sreedhar | Supporting Role |
| Luckgith Saini | Supporting Role |
| Nahas Hidhayath | Supporting Role |
| Vijay Babu | Supporting Role |
| Indrajith Sukumaran | Supporting Role |
Padakkalam Actor Name
Suraj Venjaramoodu as Professor Shaji K.K.
Suraj Venjaramoodu plays Professor Shaji K.K., one of the most important characters in Padakkalam.
Shaji is presented as a college professor whose life becomes connected to the supernatural events surrounding the mysterious artifact.
Suraj brings his trademark comic timing and expressive acting to the character. His performance becomes particularly interesting when the body-swapping situation changes the way the character behaves.
The role gives Suraj an opportunity to combine comedy with a more dramatic performance.
Sharafudheen as Professor Renjith
Sharafudheen plays Professor Renjith, a character who plays a major role in driving the story forward.
Renjith is ambitious and interested in gaining more authority within the college. His discovery and use of the mysterious artifact eventually turn him into one of the central sources of conflict.
Sharafudheen gives Renjith a combination of seriousness, humor, and intensity. His character becomes even more complicated after the body-swapping events begin.
Sandeep Pradeep as Jithin
Sandeep Pradeep plays Jithin, one of the four engineering students at the center of the story.
Jithin is curious and adventurous, and his discovery of the professor’s supernatural secret becomes the turning point of the film.
He shares a close friendship with Kannan, Nakul, and Ramzad. Together, they attempt to understand the mysterious situation and find a solution.
Sandeep Pradeep’s performance adds youthful energy to the movie and helps maintain the college-life atmosphere.
Saaf as Kannan
Saaf plays Kannan, one of Jithin’s closest friends.
Kannan is part of the group that becomes involved in the supernatural mystery. His interactions with the other students contribute significantly to the comedy and friendship elements of the movie.
The character helps create the light-hearted atmosphere that runs alongside the film’s fantasy storyline.
Arun Ajikumar as Nakul
Arun Ajikumar portrays Nakul, another member of the student group.
Nakul becomes involved in the plan to understand and deal with the mysterious artifact. His character is part of the friendship group that tries to protect Jithin and solve the unusual problems created by Renjith.
Arun Pradeep as Ramzad
Arun Pradeep plays Ramzad, one of the four engineering students.
Ramzad is part of the central friend group and participates in their attempts to uncover the truth behind the supernatural events.
His character contributes to the film’s youthful and humorous tone.
Ishan Shoukath as Lijo
Ishan Shoukath appears as Lijo, a character connected to Jithin’s college life.
Lijo is portrayed as a rival figure, adding another layer to Jithin’s personal and college-related conflicts.
His presence gives the story additional tension beyond the supernatural storyline.
Padakkalam Actress Name
Niranjana Anoop as Jeevika
Niranjana Anoop plays Jeevika, who has a romantic connection with Jithin.
Jeevika adds a softer emotional element to the otherwise fantasy-heavy and comedic story.
Her relationship with Jithin gives the audience another perspective on his personality and personal life.
Niranjana’s performance complements the younger cast and fits naturally into the college setting.
Pooja Mohanraj as Shobha
Pooja Mohanraj plays Shobha, the wife of Professor Shaji.
Her character becomes particularly relevant to Shaji’s personal life and the unusual circumstances that develop later in the movie.
The role also provides opportunities for humorous situations as the consequences of the body-swapping storyline unfold.
Supporting Cast of Padakkalam
Padakkalam also includes several performers in supporting roles who help build the college environment and expand the story.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Shaju Sreedhar | Supporting Character |
| Luckgith Saini | Supporting Character |
| Nahas Hidhayath | Supporting Character |
| Vijay Babu | Supporting Character |
| Indrajith Sukumaran | Supporting Character |
These supporting performers contribute to different parts of the narrative and help connect the main characters with the larger world of the film.
Padakkalam Cast and Character Table
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Professor Shaji K.K. | Suraj Venjaramoodu |
| Professor Renjith | Sharafudheen |
| Jithin | Sandeep Pradeep |
| Kannan | Saaf |
| Nakul | Arun Ajikumar |
| Ramzad | Arun Pradeep |
| Jeevika | Niranjana Anoop |
| Shobha | Pooja Mohanraj |
| Lijo | Ishan Shoukath |
Padakkalam Body Swap Characters
The body-swapping concept is one of the most unusual elements of Padakkalam.
The story involves three important characters becoming connected through the supernatural artifact:
- Jithin
- Professor Shaji
- Professor Renjith
The body-swap situation creates several comic and dramatic moments because the characters have to deal with each other’s identities and responsibilities.
The actors also get the opportunity to portray personalities that are different from their original characters. This makes the performances an important part of the film’s entertainment value.
Story and Plot Overview
Padakkalam begins in a college environment where four engineering students spend their time dealing with studies, friendship, competition, and everyday college problems.
Their ordinary lives change when they become aware of a mysterious artifact connected to Professor Renjith.
Renjith discovers that the object has supernatural abilities and begins using its powers. His ambitions gradually become more dangerous, particularly as he becomes interested in obtaining a higher position within the college.
Jithin discovers the truth and tells his friends. The group decides to take the artifact, hoping to stop Renjith and understand how it works.
However, their plan does not go as expected.
Renjith uses his powers against Jithin, and the conflict eventually leads to a supernatural body-swapping situation.
Jithin, Shaji, and Renjith find themselves dealing with unexpected changes in their identities. The students then have to work together to find a way to restore everything to normal.
The story combines friendship, comedy, fantasy, college rivalry, romance, and supernatural adventure.
Main Themes in Padakkalam
Friendship
Friendship is one of the strongest elements of the movie. Jithin, Kannan, Nakul, and Ramzad remain connected as they face increasingly complicated situations.
Ambition
Renjith’s desire for power and professional advancement plays an important role in the conflict.
Identity
The body-swapping storyline allows the film to explore the idea of identity from a humorous perspective.
College Life
The movie uses engineering college life as the foundation for its characters and relationships.
Comedy and Fantasy
The supernatural concept creates situations that allow the film to move between comedy and fantasy without becoming completely serious.
Director of Padakkalam
Manu Swaraj directed Padakkalam.
The film represents a combination of fantasy, comedy, supernatural storytelling, and college drama. The director uses the unusual body-swapping concept as the central device for creating both humor and conflict.
The screenplay was written by Manu Swaraj and Nithin C. Babu.
Production Details
Padakkalam was produced under the banners associated with Friday Film House, 29SeptemberWorks, and KRG Studios.
The production brought together experienced Malayalam film professionals and a younger group of performers.
The movie was designed as an entertaining fantasy-comedy rather than a conventional college drama.
Music and Technical Details
Music plays an important role in maintaining the energetic atmosphere of the film.
The technical presentation supports the movie’s supernatural elements while keeping the visual style suitable for a college comedy.
The combination of fantasy situations, comedy scenes, and character-driven moments gives the film a distinctive presentation.
Padakkalam Release Date
Padakkalam was released theatrically on 8 May 2025.
The film arrived as a Malayalam-language fantasy-comedy and attracted attention because of its unusual storyline and ensemble cast.
Padakkalam OTT Release
After its theatrical run, Padakkalam became available for streaming on JioHotstar.
The movie began streaming on 10 June 2025.
The OTT release made the film accessible to viewers who could not watch it in theatres. It was also made available in multiple language options on the streaming platform.
Where to Watch Padakkalam
Viewers can watch Padakkalam on JioHotstar.
The OTT release is particularly convenient for audiences looking for a Malayalam fantasy-comedy involving college students, supernatural elements, and body swapping.
Padakkalam Box Office Collection
Padakkalam performed steadily at the box office and generated interest among Malayalam movie audiences.
Reported box-office figures have varied between tracking sources, but the movie was reported to have collected approximately ₹18.77 crore worldwide, with its India net collection reported at around ₹16.73 crore.
Box-office figures can differ depending on the tracking method and reporting source, so these numbers should be treated as reported estimates rather than official audited figures.
Awards and Honors
Padakkalam and its team received recognition in award-season discussions.
Director Manu Swaraj was associated with a nomination for Best Debutant Director – Malayalam at SIIMA.
The recognition highlighted the film’s distinctive concept and the director’s work on his debut feature.
Audience Response and Reviews
Padakkalam received attention for its unusual combination of fantasy and comedy.
The body-swapping concept was one of the most talked-about elements of the movie. The performances of Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sharafudheen, and Sandeep Pradeep also helped the film maintain audience interest.
The movie particularly appeals to viewers who enjoy light-hearted fantasy stories with friendship, college settings, supernatural concepts, and comedy.
Why Is the Cast of Padakkalam Special?
One of the strongest aspects of Padakkalam is the combination of experienced actors and younger performers.
Suraj Venjaramoodu brings considerable comic and dramatic experience to the movie, while Sharafudheen adds another distinctive personality to the supernatural storyline.
Sandeep Pradeep and the other younger actors give the film a fresh college atmosphere.
The body-swapping concept also gives the performers an opportunity to act differently from their usual character personalities. This makes the performances more entertaining and creates several unusual situations.
Character Relationships in Padakkalam
The relationships between the characters help move the story forward.
Jithin, Kannan, Nakul, and Ramzad share a close friendship that forms the emotional foundation of the student storyline.
Jithin and Jeevika represent the romantic side of the story.
Jithin and Lijo have a rivalry that adds another layer to the college setting.
Renjith and Shaji are connected through their professional environment, while the supernatural artifact eventually brings their lives into a much more complicated situation.
Interesting Facts About Padakkalam
- Padakkalam combines college comedy with a supernatural body-swapping concept.
- The film is directed by Manu Swaraj.
- Suraj Venjaramoodu plays Professor Shaji K.K.
- Sharafudheen portrays Professor Renjith.
- Sandeep Pradeep plays the central student character Jithin.
- Jithin, Kannan, Nakul, and Ramzad form the main student friendship group.
- Niranjana Anoop plays Jeevika, Jithin’s love interest.
- Pooja Mohanraj portrays Shobha, Shaji’s wife.
- The story revolves around a mysterious supernatural artifact.
- The body-swapping storyline connects Jithin, Shaji, and Renjith.
- Padakkalam was released theatrically in May 2025.
- The film later became available on JioHotstar.
Padakkalam Quick Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Padakkalam |
| Industry | Malayalam Cinema |
| Genre | Fantasy Comedy |
| Director | Manu Swaraj |
| Main Actor | Suraj Venjaramoodu |
| Main Cast | Sharafudheen, Sandeep Pradeep |
| Main Actress | Niranjana Anoop |
| Release | 8 May 2025 |
| OTT Release | 10 June 2025 |
| OTT Platform | JioHotstar |
| Central Concept | Supernatural Body Swap |
| Main Setting | Engineering College |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Runtime | Approximately 124 minutes |
Conclusion
The cast of Padakkalam is a balanced combination of experienced Malayalam performers and young actors. Suraj Venjaramoodu, Sharafudheen, and Sandeep Pradeep lead the movie, while Saaf, Arun Ajikumar, Arun Pradeep, Niranjana Anoop, Pooja Mohanraj, and the supporting cast add depth to the story.
What makes Padakkalam different is its combination of college friendship, supernatural fantasy, comedy, rivalry, romance, and body swapping. The unusual storyline gives the actors plenty of opportunities to explore entertaining and unexpected situations.
For viewers who enjoy Malayalam movies with a light-hearted fantasy concept and an unconventional storyline, Padakkalam offers a distinctive combination of humor and supernatural adventure.
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