Patriot
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Mahesh Narayanan
Written by Mahesh Narayanan
Produced by
  • Anto Joseph
  • K. G. Anil Kumar
Starring
  • Mammootty
  • Mohanlal
  • Fahadh Faasil
  • Kunchacko Boban
  • Nayanthara
  • Revathi
  • Darshana Rajendran
  • Rajiv Menon
Cinematography Manush Nandan
Edited by
  • Mahesh Narayanan
  • Rahul Radhakrishnan
Music by Sushin Shyam
Production
companies
  • Anto Joseph Film Company
  • Kichappus Entertainments
  • C R Saleem Productions
  • Blue Tigers London
Distributed by Aan Mega Media
Release date
  • 1 May 2026 (2026-05-01)
Running time
180 minutes[1]
Country India
Language Malayalam
Budget ₹140 crore[2][3][4]
Box office ₹50.23 crore[5]

Patriot is a 2026 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film written, co-edited, and directed by Mahesh Narayanan. It was produced by Anto Joseph and K. G. Anil Kumar. The film stars Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, Revathi, Darshana Rajendran, and Rajiv Menon.[6] The soundtrack was composed by Sushin Shyam.[7]

Patriot was released worldwide on 1 May 2026 and received mixed reviews from critics.

Plot

The story centers on Dr. Daniel James (Mammootty), a brilliant scientific advisor/analyst who formerly worked for the Department of Research and Welfare (DRW) under the Ministry of Defence. The Conflict: Daniel uncovers a massive surveillance conspiracy involving "Periscope"—a powerful spyware capable of remotely accessing cameras, microphones, and private data on any civilian device. The software was originally intended for national security but is being weaponized by political heavyweight JP Sundaram and his son, Shakthi Sundaram (Fahadh Faasil), the head of Shakthi Corporation. The Frame-up: When Daniel tries to expose the misuse of this data, he is branded a "national traitor" and framed for espionage. He flees to London, where he runs a dissident YouTube channel called Vimathan to continue his whistleblowing efforts. The Mission: Forced back into the fray, Daniel must clear his name and stop the surveillance network before it destroys civil liberties in India. He is eventually aided by an "old friend" and high-ranking operative (Mohanlal) and a turncoat employee from Shakthi's firm named Michael Devassy (Kunchacko Boban).

Cast

  • Mammootty as Dr. Daniel "Danny" James Alathara, Defense Research Wing Officer and National Scientific Advisor
  • Mohanlal as Col. Rahim Naik, Daniel's best friend and Indian Army officer
  • Fahadh Faasil as Shakthi Sundaram, Shakthi Solutions owner and Ex-Army officer
  • Kunchacko Boban as Michael "Mike" Devassy, Daniel's subordinate and Shakthi's colleague
  • Nayanthara as Adv. Lathika Padmanabhan, Daniel’s ex-wife
  • Darshana Rajendran as Jyothi Kurian, Michael's lover
  • Revathi as Chief Minister Nalini Ramakrishnan
  • Rajiv Menon as Central Minister J.P. Sundaram, Shakthi's father
  • Zarin Shihab as Ayisha Iqbal, Daniel's second wife
  • Prakash Belawadi as Sreedharan
  • Grace Antony as Anju, Rahim's caretaker
  • Indrans as Satheeshan
  • Jinu Joseph as Raghu
  • Danish Husain
  • Shaheen Siddique as Vignesh
  • Ishan Shoukath as Dibakar
  • Sshivada as Michael’s wife
  • Sreeparvathy as Athira
  • Geethi Sangeetha as Athira's mother
  • Sudhi Kozhikode as Athira's father
  • Amala Rose Kurian as Jyothi's Friend
  • Vaishak Shankar as Advocate
  • Vineeth Thattil David as Radhakrishnan
  • Arun Ajikumar
  • Samson Matthew Valiyaparambil
  • Saanya Nair
  • Sanal Aman

Production

Principal photography commenced in November 2024 in Sri Lanka.[8][9] Filming took place across multiple locations in India and internationally, including Hyderabad, at Ramoji Film City, the United Kingdom, including London, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, New Delhi, Kashmir, Coimbatore, and Kochi.[10][11][12] Filming concluded in January 2026.[13]

Music

Patriot
Soundtrack album by
Sushin Shyam
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Language Malayalam
Producer Sushin Shyam
Sushin Shyam chronology
Bougainvillea
(2024)		 Patriot
(2026)		 #Suriya47
(2027)
Singles from Patriot
  1. "Kaattu Thottappol"
    Released: 12 March 2026
  2. "Manushyan"
    Released: 25 April 2026

The soundtrack is composed by Sushin Shyam.[7]

The first single, "Kaattu Thottappol", written by Anwar Ali, was released prior to the film's release. The song is sung by iSai and Kapil Kapilan.[14] A second single titled "Manushyan" was released on 26 April, sung by Shakthisree Gopalan.

Track listing
No. Title Lyrics Singer(s) Length
1. "Kaattu Thottappol" Anwar Ali iSai, Kapil Kapilan 4:16
2. "Manushyan" Vinayak Sasikumar Shakthisree Gopalan, Mammootty 3:37

Release

Theatrical

Patriot was released worldwide on 1 May 2026.

Home media

The digital rights for Patriot have been acquired by ZEE5.[15]

Reception

Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 3 out of 5 stars, writing "Kudos to Mahesh Narayanan for not being intimidated by Mammootty and Mohanlal's superstardom, and to the two legends for simply trusting the director's vision", even though "Mahesh's script ultimately falls flat, with mediocre writing throughout that fails to elevate Patriot".[16] S.R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote "Despite its predictable narrative, Patriot is an engaging and even brave film on a pertinent issue. It is not often that a questioning “dissident” gets the central role in an Indian film these days".[17] Vishal Menon of The Hollywood Reporter India wrote "Patriot is a film that does a lot of things right with a lot to love in the writing, its subtle scores (Sushin Shyam is the composer) and the topics it explores. It is also a mini miracle that the film comes close to achieving the sky-high expectations ... It might be miles away from greatness, but it’s not often that we see a whistleblower thriller with so many unforgettable whistle-worthy moments".[18] Janani K of India Today gave 3.5 out of 5 stars, writing "With intelligent writing and a grounded vision, it is spy cinema done right — minor shortcomings and all ... Patriot is not without its flaws. There are stretches that lose momentum before the film pulls you back in".[19] Athulya Nambiar of Mid-Day wrote that "Patriot’s biggest USP is undoubtedly the reunion of Malayalam superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty. Despite a few flaws, the film runs high on the back of the reunion of the stars after nearly two decades".[20]

References

  1. ^ "Patriot [UA 16+]". Central Board of Film Certification. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  2. ^ "Row over revenue sharing: Exhibitors association against release of multi-starrer 'Patriot' movie". 6 March 2026 – via The Hindu.
  3. ^ "Mammootty poses with Lissy, Priyadarshan after dubbing for much-awaited 'Patriot'". Onmanorama. 17 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Patriot movie delay: Malayalam multi-starrer will not release on April 23". Mathrubhumi. 31 March 2026.
  5. ^ "'Patriot' Box Office: Mammootty-Mohanlal thriller collects Rs 50 crore worldwide, fails to break 'L2: Empuraan' opening record". The Week. 3 May 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  6. ^ "Mohanlal and Mammootty reunite for Mahesh Narayanan's Patriot". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  7. ^ a b "'Patriot's first single 'Kaatu Thottappol' is out now". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Mohanlal lights lamp as Mammootty joins to kick off multi-starrer in Sri Lanka". Mathrubhumi. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  9. ^ "Mammootty and Mohanlal Reunite". Deccan Chronicle. 22 November 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  10. ^ Madhu, Vignesh (10 February 2025). "Mohanlal and Mammootty spotted shooting together for Mahesh Narayanan's film, MMMN". Cinema Express. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  11. ^ "Mohanlal and Mammootty's salt-and-pepper look revealed in Mahesh Narayanan's multi-starrer". Onmanorama. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  12. ^ "MMMN's Kashmir schedule begins". Cinema Express. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  13. ^ "Patriot: Shooting Of Mammootty And Mohanlal Starrer Wrapped Up, Makers Drop BTS Video | Watch". News18. 4 January 2026. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  14. ^ "'PATRIOT' first song 'Kattu Thottappol' to premiere on March 12 via Sushin Shyam's YouTube channel". The Times of India. 10 March 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  15. ^ "Patriot movie second look poster: Mohanlal and Mammootty in action-packed avatar". The Indian Express. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  16. ^ "Patriot movie review: Mammootty and Mohanlal go on a stylish walk to tell a poorly conceived story". The Indian Express. 1 May 2026. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  17. ^ Praveen, S. R. (1 May 2026). "'Patriot' movie review: Mohanlal-Mammootty film is engaging and brave despite its predictability". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  18. ^ Menon, Vishal (1 May 2026). "'Patriot' Movie Review: Mammootty Is Charismatic In This Complex Thriller Told With Class". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  19. ^ K, Janani (1 May 2026). "Patriot review: Mammootty is invincible, Mohanlal-Fahadh Faasil boost spy drama". India Today. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  20. ^ "Patriot movie review: Mammootty, Mohanlal's starpower an obstacle?". Mid Day. Retrieved 1 May 2026.