Padmini
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySenna Hegde
Written byDeepu Pradeep
Produced bySuvin K Varkey
Prasobh Krishna
Starring
CinematographySreeraj Raveendran
Edited byManu Antony
Music byJakes Bejoy
Production
company
Little Big Films
Distributed byCentral Pictures
Release date
  • 14 July 2023 (2023-07-14)[1]
Running time
120 minutes[2]
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Padmini is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Senna Hegde and written by Deepu Pradeep.[3] It stars Kunchacko Boban, Aparna Balamurali, Madonna Sebastian, and Vincy Aloshious in the lead roles.[4] The film follows Rameshan's life, which turns into a crisis following an unexpected incident on the wedding night.

The film was officially announced in November 2021. Principal photography began in January 2023 in Palakkad and was wrapped up in February 2023. The music was composed by Jakes Bejoy. The cinematography and editing were handled by Sreeraj Raveendran and Manu Antony.

Padmini was theatrically released on 14 July 2023 to mixed reviews from critics.[5]

Plot

Rameshan, a college lecturer and part-time poet, marries Smrithi when he is 34 years old. Smrithi elopes with her lover Siju in a Premier Padmini on the night of the wedding, with Rameshan's knowledge. Two people saw this in secret and spread the news in the village. Then people start calling Rameshan 'Padmini' to make fun of him.

After two years, Rameshan develops an interest in a girl named Laya. But Rameshan learns she is in love with his brother Rahul. Venu, Rameshan's friend, suggests that he should get married soon. Rameshan and Venu visit a marriage bureau in Kollengode. The bureau manager, Thanku, shows Rameshan profiles of several girls. Rameshan and Venu arrive at Advocate Sreedevi's home with a marriage proposal on Thanku's suggestion. After spotting a Premier Padmini in Sreedevi's house, Rameshan immediately cancels the marriage proposal and returns. Rameshan then decides that he will no longer live a married life.

Padmini joins as a mathematics guest lecturer at Rameshan's college. Jayan, the owner of the Raareeram mattress company, approaches Sreedevi with a marriage proposal. Sreedevi initially rejects the proposal but gradually develops a relationship with him. Meanwhile, Rameshan and Padmini get closer and eventually fall in love. Rameshan arrives at Padmini's house with a marriage proposal, along with his family. When Padmini's uncle asks if Rameshan legally divorced Smrithi, Rameshan's family is hesitant to respond.

Padmini discusses Rameshan's divorce matter with her friend Sreedevi. On Padmini's suggestion, Rameshan and Venu visit Sreedevi in the family court, whom he earlier approached for a marriage proposal. When Sreedevi mentions that she wants Smrithi's signature on the affidavit, Venu responds that they don't know anything about Smrithi right now. Rameshan and Venu visit Smrithi's home to inquire about her, but they don't get a satisfying response from Smrithi's father. Padmini and Rahul search for Smrithi's details on social media but find nothing. Rameshan goes to Smrithi's village with Rahul to inquire about her, but it gives no result. Rameshan and Padmini meet Sreedevi at her office. On Sreedevi's request, Rameshan brings a photo of Smrithi to his next visit. Jayan, who arrives unexpectedly at the office, sees Rameshan, whom he met before at the marriage bureau.

Padmini informs Rameshan that her family is seeking a new marriage proposal for her. Then Rameshan appears in court for divorce, but the judge orders that Smrithi attend as well, and the case is adjourned. Jayan asks Sreedevi to withdraw from Rameshan's case and criticizes her inability to win a case. Sreedevi takes Rameshan's case as a challenge to Jayan's criticism. Sreedevi and Rameshan visit Smrithi's home, but Smrithi's father sends them away without saying anything about her. Smrithi's sister was willing to help them. Jayan gets upset when he sees Sreedevi and Rameshan riding together on a scooter.

Sreedevi learns of Smrithi's presence in Chennai through Smrithi's sister. Then Rameshan and Sreedevi travel to Chennai to see her. Jayan comes to college to meet Padmini, and Padmini tells Jayan that Rameshan and Sreedevi went to Chennai together, which upsets him. Smrithi, who had difficulty staying with Siju, decides to go with Rameshan and Sreedevi after meeting them. When Jayan arrives in Chennai, he finds Sreedevi and Rameshan together in a hotel room. Jayan then ends his relationship with Sreedevi.

Rameshan and Sreedevi take Smrithi to Padmini's hostel in Kavasseri. There, Padmini and Smrithi engage in a brief conflict over Rameshan, and Sreedevi takes Smrithi to her house. The next day, Rameshan, Padmini, Padmini's father, and Padmini's uncle appear in court. However, because of Smrithi's absence, the case has been postponed again. Tired of legal proceedings, Padmini's uncle asks Rameshan to end all relationships with her.

A few days later, Smrithi's boyfriend Siju marries Monisha. Smrithi, who was already aware of Siju's marriage, visits Monisha's home with Rameshan and Sreedevi and informs her family about her relationship with Siju. Monisha makes a scene and tells her father that she wants to marry her boyfriend. Finally, Rameshan and Sreedevi go together in Sreedevi's Premier Padmini.

Cast

  • Kunchacko Boban as Rameshan, a college lecturer teaching Malayalam and part-time poet who struggles to get a divorce and find a new wife.
  • Aparna Balamurali as Sreedevi, an advocate who befriends Rameshan and helps him to get a divorce.
  • Madonna Sebastian as Padmini, a guest lecturer teaching math at the same college where Rameshan worked, fell in love with him.
  • Vincy Aloshious as Smriti, Rameshan's wife who eloped with Siju
  • Malavika Menon as Laya, Rahul's lover (guest appearance)
  • Anaswara Rajan as Monisha, a girl who gets married to Siju (guest appearance)
  • Althaf Salim as Siju, Smriti's lover
  • Sajin Cherukayil as Jayan, owner of a matress company, who approaches Sridevi with a marriage proposal.
  • Ganapathi S. Poduval as Rahul, Rameshan's younger brother
  • Anand Manmadhan as Venu, Rameshan's friend
  • Seema G. Nair as Santha Devi, Rameshan's mother
  • Gokulan as Rafi, Rameshan's colleague
  • James Elia as Keshavan, Smriti's father
  • Srikant Murali as Padmini's uncle, a village officer
  • Neeraja Rajendran as Sreedevi's mother
  • Unniraj Cheruvathur as Judge
  • Jayakumar Parameswaran Pillai as Principal
  • Mani Shornur as Narayanan
  • Jordi Poonjar as Thanku
  • Arunkumar Pavumba as Kannan Aavani
  • Jimmy Danny as Amminikuttan
  • Mahesh as Ratheesh
  • Amrita Krishnakumar as Sherin
  • Mahesh Kumar as Abu
  • Vinu Vimal as Bhasi
  • Jaison as Uthaman
  • Shinu Shyamalan as Nandini
  • Ambili as Jaya
  • Mani as Shankunni
  • Sreelekha Nambiar as Leela
  • Vipin Kavvayi as Aji
  • Vinayan as Akbar
  • Jithin as Sudhi
  • Zhinz Shan as Monisha's father
  • Ramadevi as Lalitha
  • Mathews Pavaratty as Sudhakaran
  • Aradhya Sai as Smrithi's sister
  • Kala as Smrithi's mother
  • Latha Das as Monisha's mother
  • Doctor Siju as Padmini's father
  • Trini Anto as Sreeni

Production

Development

The film was announced in November 2021 by director Senna Hegde.[6]

Filming

The principal photography of the film began on 10 January 2023 in Palakkad.[7] The shooting was wrapped in February 2023.[8]

Music

Padmini
Soundtrack album by
Jakes Bejoy,
Released2023
Recorded2023 (2023)
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LanguageMalayalam
LabelSaregama
ProducerJakes Bejoy
SongSingerLyricist
"Padminiye"Sachin WarrierTitto P Thankachen
"Love You Muthe"Vidyadharan Master
Kunchacko Boban		Manu Manjith
"Nenjil Oru"Libin Scaria
Aswin Vijayan		Titto P Thankachen
:Aalmara Kakka (The Poetic Theppu)"Akhil J Chand
Kunchacko Boban (Poetic Rap)		Manu Manjith

Marketing

The makers published a first-look poster featuring Kunchacko Boban along with Vincy Aloshious in March 2023.[9] The teaser of the film was released on June 16, 2023.[10]

Release

Theatrical

The film was released on 14 July 2023 across theatres in Kerala to mixed reviews.[11][12]

Home media

Netflix acquired the film's digital rights and began streaming it on 11 August 2023.[12][13]

Reception

Critical reception

S. R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote "Despite the quirkiness quotient, the film proceeds tamely compared to Senna Hegde’s previous two outings and without any surprises for the most part."[14] Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "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."[15] Princy Alexander of Onmanorama stated "'Padmini' too appears as an ordinary feel-good movie, set in a village with the protagonist Rameshan hoping to settle down with a girl who understands him."[16]

Sanjith Sidhardhan of OTTPlay gave 3.5/5 stars and said "Boosted by Kunchacko Boban, Aparna Balamurali, Madonna Sebastian and Sajin Cherukayil’s performances, Senna Hegde’s Padmini is a definitely one of the best feel-good movies in Malayalam this year, in spite of its terse ending."[17] Sajin Shrijith of Cinema Express gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Padmini has a remarkable quality that some recent Malayalam comedies don't have: the ability to make even the lines spoken by a one-minute character memorable."[18] Cris of The News Minute stated "'Padmini', which has Aparna Balamurali, Madonna Sebastian, and Vincy Aloshious opposite Kunchacko Boban, manages to find a new path – original and a wee bit hilarious, but not entirely engaging."[19] Gopika ls of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "It touches on a lot of subjects and impress them on viewers successfully, including how trauma occurs, how people handle it and also, toxicity of the society- all in a light hearted manner."[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Padmini (2023) - Movie | Reviews, Cast & Release Date". in.bookmyshow.com. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
  2. ↑ "Padmini". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  3. ↑ "Malayalam film director Senna Hegde says Kunchacko Boban-Aparna Balamurali-starrer Padmini is a comedy". The Hindu. 2023-06-28. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
  4. ↑ "Kunchacko Boban's Padmini goes on floors". Cinema Express. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  5. ↑ "'Padmini' Twitter review: Check out what the moviegoers have to say about the Kunchacko Boban starrer". The Times of India. 2023-07-14. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  6. ↑ "Senna Hegde's next film 'Padmini' has Kunchacko Boban, Aparna Balamurali in lead roles". Times of India. 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  7. ↑ "Kunchacko Boban's Padmini goes on floors". Cinema Express. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  8. ↑ "It's a wrap for 'Padmini' starring Kunchacko Boban and Aparna Balamurali". The Times of India. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  9. ↑ "First look of Kunchacko Boban's 'Padmini' out". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  10. ↑ "'Padmini' teaser: Kunchacko Boban starrer is a light-hearted rom-com". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  11. ↑ "Padmini (2023) Padmini Malayalam Movie Reviews, Showtimes". NOWRUNNING. 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
  12. 1 2 "Kunchacko Boban's 'Padmini' to stream on OTT from this date!". The Times of India. 2023-08-08. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  13. ↑ "From 'Por Thozhil' to 'Padmini': New OTT releases this week". OnManorama. 2023-08-11. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  14. ↑ Praveen, S. R. (2023-07-14). "'Padmini' movie review: Senna Hegde, Kunchacko Boban's comedy just about lives up to its minor ambitions". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  15. ↑ Suresh, Anandu (2023-07-14). "Padmini movie review: This Kunchacko Boban film had the potential to scale heights, but it chose not to". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  16. ↑ Alexander, Princy (2023-07-14). "'Padmini' review: Senna Hegde delivers yet another light-hearted, innovative film". OnManorama. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  17. ↑ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (2023-07-14). "Padmini review: Kunchacko Boban and team are delightful in this charming film". OTTPlay. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  18. ↑ Shrijith, Sajin (2023-07-14). "Padmini Movie Review: Light entertainment, well-served". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  19. ↑ Cris (2023-07-14). "Padmini review: Senna Hegde's film has an interesting premise but loses focus". The News Minute. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  20. ↑ ls, Gopika (2023-07-15). "Padmini Movie Review : A humorous take on society with underlying messages". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
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