Patriot is a new film directed by Mahesh Narayanan. It features renowned actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, and Nayanthara. The film runs for 181 minutes and merges socio-political themes with the spy thriller genre.
The storyline revolves around a top government official uncovering a mass surveillance system. Mammootty plays Daniel James, an employee in a Union government ministry. Fahadh Faasil portrays Shakthi, the son of a Union minister.
Patriot addresses critical issues of digital mass surveillance and government complicity. The film includes thrilling sequences like a car chase and an escape scene involving the lead characters. Mohanlal’s role is an extended cameo that ends abruptly.
Critics describe the film as engaging and brave despite some predictability. It raises questions about the notion of having “nothing to hide” in the context of surveillance. Mammootty carries the film’s weight effectively, supported by a strong cast.
Key quotes:
- “Patriot is an engaging and even brave film on a pertinent issue.”
- “The film is also deliberately verbose — you need to pay attention to follow its intricacies, and that is a feature, not a flaw.”
- “This is not a film of elevation moments or high-concept spectacle. It is a grounded, methodical spy drama.”
The last collaboration between Mammootty and Mohanlal was nearly two decades ago.
