'Painkili' is clearly Sajin Gopu's movie, with the character of Suku tailor-made for him. He delivers a superb performance, taking on various layers—laughing, crying, and even pretending to have mental health issues.
A poster of the film 'Painkili'. (X)
Painkili had garnered considerable attention ahead of the release primarily due to Sajin Gopu. The actor had gained popularity with Aavesham (2023).
He stars opposite Anaswara Rajan, who has found success with recent films like Rekhachithram (2024) and Ennu Swantam Punyalan (2024). The movie features a story by director Jithu Madhavan, known for his successful films like Romancham (2024) and Aavesham.
Directed by Sreejith Babu, who also acted in the aforementioned films, the team’s collective effort is evident in the making of Painkili.
Suku (Sajin Gopu) runs a printing shop and is a quirky, social media-savvy guy, always posting reels and self-marketing. His middle-class family also runs a catering business. The movie begins with hilarious moments that keep the audience engaged.
Anaswara Rajan in ‘Painkili’. (X)
Suku and his friend travel to Coimbatore to buy a machine, but things go wrong. On their return, more problems arise, changing Suku’s life.
Parallel to this, Sheeba (Anaswara Rajan) is another quirky character. She has a habit of running away from home and ends up at Suku’s house. The events that follow form the crux of the story.
Painkili features a quirky screenplay with eccentric characters. Suku and Sheeba stand out with unconventional story arcs, while others, like Suku’s father (Abu Salem) and his friends (Roshan Shanavas, and Chandu Salim Kumar), are portrayed in a particular way.
The story starts with Sheeba’s struggles, gradually shifting to Suku. Sheeba is escaping a difficult situation at home, but the events are more cinematic than logical. The film balances between Suku’s story in the first half and both characters in the second.
A still from the film ‘Painkili’. (X)
The movie’s characters are over the top, as promised by the makers. Though the title suggests “cringe”, except for the climax, the rest of the film is seldom “cringe”. Most scenes are loud, with characters constantly in motion. References to old Malayalam and Tamil songs add a nostalgic touch.
Painkili also explores mental health, similar to Jithu Madhavan’s Aavesham, with Suku’s emotional struggles taking centre stage. One powerful scene, where Suku vents his anger and sadness, evokes a deep response, though some may feel it’s not handled perfectly.
Justin Varghese’s unconventional music is a highlight, enhancing several scenes. The cinematography and editing are also well-executed, supporting the film’s complex themes.
Painkili is clearly Sajin Gopu’s movie, with the character of Suku tailor-made for him. He delivers a superb performance, taking on various layers—laughing, crying, and even pretending to have mental health issues. His physical acting in several scenes highlights his talent and assures his future in the industry.
Sajin Gopu in ‘Painkili’. (X)
Anaswara Rajan shines as Sheeba, especially in the second half. Her mannerisms demonstrate her versatility, proving she can handle a wide range of roles. We’ve seen her in serious roles in Neru (2023) and Rekhachithram (2025), as well as in fun-filled performances in Super Sharanya and other films.
Chandhu Salim Kumar impresses as Kunjayi, Suku’s friend, with a strong presence on screen. Roshan Shanavas also plays Suku’s friend well, following his performance in Aavesham.
Abu Salem takes on a different role as Suku’s father, showing his range as an actor.
Jisma Vijay stands out as Suma, one of the funniest characters in the movie, and she handles the role perfectly.
Painkili is a decent movie which has a quirky story narrated not in the usual pattern by debutant director Sreejith Babu. Sajin Gopu and Anaswara Rajan’s stellar performances are the key highlights of this movie.
(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)
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