Movie Name : Patriot
Release Date : May 01, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, Revathi and others
Director : Mahesh Narayanan
Producers : Anto Joseph, K. G. Anil Kumar
Music Director : Sushin Shyam
Cinematographer : Manush Nandan
Editors : Mahesh Narayanan, Rahul Radhakrishnan
Related Links : Trailer
After nearly 18 years, Mollywood legends Mammootty and Mohanlal reunite for the spy action thriller Patriot. Directed by Mahesh Narayanan, the film arrives with high expectations. Here is how it fares.
Story:
Dr. Daniel Joseph (Mammootty), a research scientist at the Defence Research Wing, uncovers a covert spyware network operating through laptops distributed to underprivileged students. The devices, linked to Minister JP Sundaram’s (Rajiv Menon) son Shakti Sundaram (Fahadh Faasil), are embedded with a surveillance program called Periscope that tracks users relentlessly. When a young girl becomes a victim, the stakes escalate. Branded a threat, Daniel escapes to London to expose the truth. Captured and on the run, he navigates a web of deception as deeper layers of the conspiracy unravel. At a crucial juncture, Colonel Rahim Saheb (Mohanlal) enters the narrative, emerging as a key force whose connection to the operation adds weight to Daniel’s mission. The story ultimately follows Daniel’s fight to expose the company behind the spyware and the government backing it.
Plus Points:
The biggest strength of the film is watching Mammootty and Mohanlal share screen space again. Mammootty delivers a composed and authoritative performance, bringing weight to the film’s core theme of privacy and governance. His presence adds credibility and depth to several key moments.
Mohanlal appears in the latter half and makes a noticeable impact, even though his role is limited. The scenes featuring both legends are engaging and carry a certain emotional weight for fans.
Kunchacko Boban plays a significant role and leaves a good impression. Zarin Shihab is effective in her part. Fahadh Faasil, as the antagonist, brings a controlled performance, though the character itself lacks depth.
The film raises relevant and unsettling questions about digital surveillance. It effectively conveys how everyday devices can intrude into personal lives, and how systems meant for public welfare can be misused for control and political advantage. These portions feel grounded and thought provoking.
Minus Points:
Despite a strong premise, the film struggles with consistency. It opens well but loses grip midway, briefly regains momentum, and then falls into a similar uneven rhythm in the second half. This fluctuation affects immersion.
The narrative needed sharper writing and tighter execution. A more focused approach could have sustained the tension throughout.
The emotional layer remains underdeveloped, which limits the film’s impact. Nayanthara’s role feels underwritten and does not contribute meaningfully to the story. Fahadh Faasil’s character, while effective in parts, deserved a stronger arc to elevate the conflict.
Technical Aspects:
Mahesh Narayanan deserves credit for choosing a relevant subject and presenting it with intent. However, the screenplay could have been more refined and cohesive. More shared screen time between Mammootty and Mohanlal would have enhanced the experience.
Manush Nandan’s cinematography is functional. Sushin Shyam’s background score stands out and adds intensity to several sequences. Editing is serviceable but could have been tighter to avoid the dragging portions. Production values are solid and reflect the scale of the project.
Verdict:
On the whole, Patriot is a concept driven thriller that works in parts. Mammootty anchors the film with a strong performance, while Mohanlal adds value in a brief but effective role. The film’s take on privacy and surveillance is relevant, but uneven pacing and underwritten characters hold it back from being consistently engaging. It ends up as just an okay watch that might appeal more to those interested in its theme than its storytelling.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
