I recently watched Patriot, the high-profile cinematic event that finally reunites legends Mammootty and Mohanlal.
The narrative centers on Dr. Daniel James Althara(Mammootty), a former National Scientific Advisor and Defense Research Wing officer. He finds himself pitted against a formidable duo: Minister J.P. Sundaram(Rajiv Menon)—a ruthless politician who utilizes "Periscope" spyware to monitor both his enemies and his own cabinet colleagues—and his son Shakthi Sundaram(Fahadh Faasil), a powerful player in the cyber-corporate world.
Assisting Daniel in his quest are Colonel Rahim Naik (Mohanlal), Michael Devassy (Kunchacko Boban), Jyothi Kurian (Darshana Rajendran), and Ayisha(Zarin Shihab). Revathi delivers a brief but impactful performance as Minister Nalini Ramakrishnan, while Nayanthara appears in a relatively minor role that offers limited screen time.
The film's first half is tightly structured and intellectually engaging. However, the second half shifts toward conventional, superhero-style action sequences where "good" inevitably triumphs over "evil." During this transition, the screenplay loses some of the sharp, analytical edge seen earlier.
Technically, Patriot is a good movie.Mahesh Narayanan’s direction is expertly complemented by his own collaborative editing with Rahul Radhakrishnan. Furthermore, Manush Nandan’s cinematography and Sushin Shyam’s background score significantly elevate the viewing experience.
The film draws clear parallels between the fictional "Periscope" and the real-world Pegasus spyware. It poignantly explores themes of institutional suspicion toward minorities—specifically within the military—and the systemic strategies used to trap and imprison dissenters. Ultimately, it serves as a stark reminder of how the modern mobile phone has been transformed into a tool for constant surveillance.
Mahesh seems to suggest that we are living in an era where "patriots can be branded as traitors, and traitors can be hailed as patriots." While the story is fictional, the director effectively uses the medium to voice urgent concerns regarding contemporary society.
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