Rating:
3.5/5
Star
Cast:
Mammootty,
Priyamani,
Prithviraj
Sukumaran,
Unni
Mukundan,
Priya
Anand
Director:
Shankar
Ramakrishnan
Pathinettam
Padi
has
a
perfect
blend
of
fresh
and
an
experienced
star
cast.
While
a
group
of
youngsters
is
making
their
step
forward
in
the
film
industry,
Pathinettam
Padi
has
big
names
like
Mammootty,
Prithviraj
etc.,
associated
with
it.
Has
Shankar
Ramakrishnan
weaved
a
movie
that
has
stayed
loyal
to
the
fruitful
prospects
that
it
has
had?
Read
Pathinettam
Padi
movie
review
to
get
answers.
Plot
The
core
plot
of
Pathinettam
Padi
revolves
around
a
group
of
students,
who
belong
to
two
different
schools.
A
set
of
students
come
from
a
government
school
whereas
the
others
belong
to
an
international
school
meant
for
the
rich.
The
movie
takes
us
through
the
present
and
the
past
of
these
students.
Script
&
Direction
Shankar
Ramakrishnan
has
already
proved
his
prowess
as
a
writer.
Coming
to
Pathinettam
Padi,
it
needs
to
be
said
that
the
writer-actor
has
stepped
into
the
zone
of
a
full-fledged
film-maker,
that
too
like
a
pro.
The
script
penned
by
the
director
himself
does
shuttle
between
the
past
and
the
present
and
the
non-linear
approach
has
been
handled
with
care
by
the
maker,
without
confusing
the
audiences
much.
Pathinettam
Padi
delves
in
detail
about
the
adrenaline
rush
that
every
teenager
goes
through.
The
life
at
that
point
of
time
and
what
conspires
in
the
future
has
been
dealt
with
carefully
in
the
film.
Pathinettam
Padi
has
a
different
take
on
nostalgia
and
is
not
just
confined
to
the
romantic
and
feel-good
parts.
The
rivalry
that
exists
between
opposite
schools
has
been
narrated
in
a
raw
and
real
format.
For
that
matter,
the
school
life
episodes
meet
the
perfection
point.
In
the
inner
layer,
the
film
is
also
about
enlightenment
on
friendship,
life,
education
system
and
much
more.
However,
the
film
does
limp
at
parts.
It
entertains
but
not
without
spending
too
much
time.
The
runtime
aspect
does
pull
the
film
down
at
parts.
Some
of
the
sequences
are
also
not
convincing
when
it
gets
connected
to
the
actual
progression
of
the
story.
Performances
Pathinettam
Padi
brings
to
the
fore
a
group
of
energetic
youngsters.
They
have
been
groomed
pretty
well
by
the
director
and
fits
perfectly
as
the
characters.
Performances
of
most
of
them
do
give
a
feel
that
they
are
experienced
campaigners.
Mammootty
appears
as
John
Abraham
Palackal,
and
his
character
is
in
a
sense
the
soul
of
the
movie.
He
is
there
on
the
screen
in
a
good
number
of
scenes
and
the
character,
with
peculiar
traits,
is
safe
in
his
hands.
As
usual,
he
steals
the
show
with
his
impeccable
performance
and
there
is
much
to
cheer
for
his
fans.
Prithviraj
and
Arya
do
their
roles
perfectly
and
we
feel
their
presence
in
the
entire
narrative.
Ahaana
Krishna,
Lalu
Alex,
Maniyanpilla
Raju,
Manoj
K
Jayan
too
have
come
up
with
good
performances.
Suraj
does
make
a
huge
impact
with
his
cameo.
Unni
Mukundan,
Priyamani
etc.,
too
appear
in
valuable
cameos.
Other
Aspects
Pathinettam
Padi
has
the
strong
backing
of
a
very
good
technical
team,
which
has
been
helmed
by
some
newcomers.
The
cinematography
is
splendid
with
some
of
the
frames
mixing
those
realistic
and
commercial
prospects.
Editing
is
also
top
notch,
even
though
it
needs
to
be
said
that
the
run
time
could
have
been
reduced.
Music
and
BGM
add
to
the
intensity
of
the
film.
Special
mention
to
the
action
sequences,
which
are
breath-taking.
Verdict
Pathinettam
Padi
does
communicate
with
the
target
audiences
pretty
well
with
a
strong
and
relatable
content.
Moreover,
the
film
hits
the
target
by
striking
the
balance
between
entertainment
and
enlightenment.