Padmini movie review: This Kunchacko Boban film had the potential to scale heights, but it chose not to

Without wasting any time, Padmini skillfully immerses the audience into its narrative, even before introducing the characters. While displaying the names of the crew members on-screen, the viewers are greeted with background dialogues from various characters discussing Rameshan’s wedding. Soon, we are introduced to Rameshan (Kunchacko Boban), a college lecturer-cum-poet, who just tied the knot with Smrithy (Vincy Aloshious), and they are preparing for their first night together. However, tragedy strikes when Smrithy elopes with her boyfriend on the very same night, leaving Rameshan as a silent witness to the event.

Without delay, we are transported two years into the future, where Rameshan continues to remain unmarried despite his strong desire to find a life partner. He resides with his mother (Seema G Nair) and brother (Ganapathi). Rameshan embarks on a quest for a bride with the assistance of his friend (Anand Manmadhan). His efforts lead him to meet Sreedevi (Aparna Balamurali). However, due to unforeseen circumstances, their connection fails to take off. It is during this time that Rameshan crosses paths with Padmini (Madonna Sebastian), a guest lecturer who recently joined his college. Love blossoms between them, and they decide to get married. However, as they proceed with their plans, another significant obstacle arises, causing a fresh dilemma for Rameshan. The remainder of the film revolves around Rameshan’s journey to disentangle himself from this newfound challenge.

Right from the start, Padmini consistently delivers plenty of laughter-inducing moments in a manner that reflects Senna Hegde’s naturalistic style, without forcing the jokes into the storyline. By skillfully utilising situations that naturally arise within the narrative and incorporating humour that aligns with these scenarios, Padmini maintains an authentic approach without deviating from its intended path.

In Padmini, despite featuring a star-studded cast, which differs from Senna’s previous works, the director has intentionally avoided incorporating elements that align with the established image of these talented actors. Even in the case of Kunchacko Boban, while effectively leveraging his romantic hero persona, the maker has tried to not include too many nostalgic reminders of the thespian’s past movies, though there are a few in that regard. The director has also skillfully ensured that the scenes in Padmini possess a refreshing quality, distinct from the usual tropes found in Malayalam romantic comedies.

While Deepu Pradeep’s script in Padmini offers ample moments to tickle the viewers’ funny bones and provides an enjoyable viewing experience, the narrative, unfortunately, falters towards the end, concluding abruptly. Despite the buildup towards a potentially intriguing climax, the film’s conclusion evokes a strong sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of Senna’s Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam, but not in a nostalgic manner. Instead, it feels more like a low-quality remake of the same. 

Furthermore, although the narrative skillfully depicts all characters as equally petty and desperate, the portrayal of women in Padmini, particularly those with brief appearances, aligns with the stereotype of women being nosy. This could have been easily avoided since these characters contribute nothing significant to the overall story. Additionally, a dialogue spoken by one of the characters that states, “Ith chayakkada alla, paippin chuvadu aanu (This is not a tea shop, this looks like the surrounding of a public tap),” reeks of misogyny and elitism. If the filmmakers had exercised more caution and refrained from including such unnecessary moments and seemingly harmless quips, Padmini would have shone brighter despite its disappointing descent towards the end.

On the performance front, Kunchacko Boban undeniably steals hearts with his overwhelming cuteness and the way he handles humour with subtlety and composure. This is a notable contrast to his previous over-the-top comedic performances in films like Mallu Singh, Three Kings, and 101 Weddings, demonstrating his growth as an actor in every aspect. Simultaneously, he seldom compromises on effectively portraying the emotional turmoil experienced by his character.

However, it is Sajin Cherukayil’s portrayal of the extremely possessive yet foolish “Raareeram” Jayan that lingers in the minds of viewers even after the film ends. His ability to navigate comedy, seamlessly transitioning between natural and exaggerated depictions as required, continues to impress. Likewise, Vincy Aloshious’ performance as Smrithy shines despite her limited screen time, leaving a strong impression. Anand Manmadhan also delivers a commendable performance, showcasing his value as a supporting actor with his effortless portrayal. Aparna Balamurali excels in her role as the ultra-romantic family lawyer, showcasing her talent. However, unfortunately, Madonna Sebastian fails to make an impression here.

While cinematographer Sreeraj Raveendran has done a commendable job, despite limited opportunities to showcase the full range of a DOP’s skills, editor Manu Antony also deserves praise for his contribution. However, it is music director Jakes Bejoy who stands out among the technicians, hitting it out of the park with his captivating tracks that seamlessly align with the film’s narrative and bring a refreshing quality to it.

In short, While Padmini had the potential to be a soothing and feel-good romantic comedy, the film, which started off strongly, unfortunately, descends into a disappointingly convenient ending, preventing it from reaching its full potential and soaring to greater heights.

Padmini movie cast: Kunchacko Boban, Aparna Balamurali, Madonna Sebastian, Vincy Aloshious, Sajin Cherukayil, Anand Manmadhan
Padmini movie director: Senna Hegde
Padmini movie rating: 3 stars