By Sam Trailerman
Mahesh Narayanan’s Patriot (2026) is a sleek, pulse-raising Malayalam action thriller that proves why Mammootty and Mohanlal remain unmatched forces in Indian cinema.
Written, co-edited, and directed by Narayanan, with Anto Joseph and K. G. Anil Kumar producing, the film brings together an ensemble that reads like a dream cast: Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, Revathi, Darshana Rajendran, and Rajiv Menon. Sushin Shyam’s soundtrack only adds to the film’s polished, international-grade feel.
At its core is Dr Daniel James, played by Mammootty, a brilliant scientific advisor and former analyst for the Department of Research and Welfare under the Ministry of Defence. The plot is crisp and accessible; you can catch the broad strokes in the trailer, but Patriot still keeps you hooked from start to finish.
While some tech elements may feel familiar to a hyper-digital audience, Narayanan’s treatment is spot-on for the film’s wide reach. It’s smart without being exclusionary, and grounded without losing its edge.
The biggest win here is obvious: Mammootty and Mohanlal sharing the screen. It’s cinematic electricity. Their scenes together are master classes in restraint and power, no grandstanding, just two legends elevating every frame with presence, timing, and gravitas.
When they appear together, the film truly soars, especially in a standout car chase and a taut escape sequence that had the theatre buzzing.
Mammootty is magnetic in the first half. His performance is sharp, intense, and physically commanding. The “face fighting”, those silent, expression-driven confrontations, is exceptional, and he anchors the film’s ambitious action set pieces with real conviction.
Mohanlal matches him beat for beat, bringing his signature depth and ease. Together, they remind you why the “Big Ms” still define stardom: they’ve evolved beyond image, delivering craft that feels vital even decades into their careers, while many contemporaries struggle to stay relevant.
Technically, Patriot is a triumph. The cinematography is universally stunning, with clean, impactful frames that give every sequence weight.
Sushin Shyam’s musical score is exceptional, not just as background but as narrative fuel, heightening tension and emotion without ever feeling excessive. The production quality easily stands shoulder to shoulder with global thrillers. This is Malayalam cinema operating at its most polished.
What makes Patriot special is that it’s plot-driven, not star-driven. And that’s its superpower. The narrative stays tight, purposeful, and confident. It doesn’t lean on hype or forced “mass” moments. Instead, it trusts its story, its themes, and its actors. The result is focused, engaging cinema that proves strong storytelling outshines celebrity appeal any day.
The film also lands its social commentary with impact. Its take on digital surveillance feels timely and thought-provoking, woven into the thriller fabric without preaching. You leave the theatre not just entertained, but actually thinking about country, sacrifice, and the choices people make when duty calls.
The second half shifts into more emotional territory, and while that transition won’t hit everyone the same way, it shows Narayanan’s ambition to balance adrenaline with heart. A few action beats are stylised and larger-than-life, a slight departure from his usual tone, but executed with such flair that they work as crowd-pleasing highlights.
Zarin Shihab and Darshana Rajendran get substantial, well-written parts and make the most of them.
While fans of Revathi and Nayanthara may wish for more screen time, the film’s ensemble nature means every role serves the story first, and that discipline pays off.
The pacing dips mid-film briefly, but the final act is gripping, pulling all threads together for a strong, satisfying close. The visuals stay clean and powerful throughout, and the background score knows exactly when to step in and elevate.
If you’re walking in expecting a nonstop Masala fest from Mohanlal and Mammootty, please recalibrate as Patriot aims higher. This is a content-rich, emotionally resonant thriller that uses its stars intelligently. It’s built for the big-screen experience: the sound, the scale, the tension, the shared gasps.
Final Take: Patriot is a solid, stylish, and stirring watch. It’s a reminder that when craft meets conviction, you get cinema that entertains and endures. For anyone who loves smart thrillers, powerhouse performances, and films that respect their audience, this
one is absolutely worth your time. It may not play to every single expectation, but it delivers something better: a film with purpose, polish, and the thrill of watching two icons at the peak of their powers.
WE