Malayalam cinema has spoiled us. When a political thriller lands on JioHotstar, expectations are naturally high — especially with Nivin Pauly’s name attached. Unfortunately, Prathichaya, directed by B. Unnikrishnan, is a reminder that even a compelling premise can collapse under the weight of poor execution and tired storytelling.
Table of Contents
Prathichaya — Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Film | Prathichaya |
| Director | B. Unnikrishnan |
| Cast | Nivin Pauly, Sharaf U Dheen, Balachandra Menon, Harisree Ashokan, Maniyanpilla Raju, Ann Augustine, Sai Kumar |
| Theatrical Release | March 26, 2026 |
| OTT Platform | JioHotstar |
| Rating | 2/5 |
What Is Prathichaya About?
The film centres on a tech entrepreneur and strategist who also happens to be the son of Kerala’s Chief Minister. When his father is killed as part of a dangerous conspiracy orchestrated by a ruthless media tycoon, the son is thrust into a political minefield. With the opposition eager to exploit the situation and tarnish the CM’s legacy, the young man uses his intellect and strategic skills to unravel the conspiracy and defend his father’s honour.
On paper, it’s a taut, timely premise — one that touches on political thriller territory with potential for sharp commentary on media manipulation and power dynamics. In practice, it rarely delivers on that promise.
What Works?
The film’s strongest asset is the dynamic between Nivin Pauly and the veteran Balachandra Menon, who play son and father respectively. Their scenes carry genuine warmth and emotional weight, offering the film’s most engaging moments. Sharaf U Dheen as the antagonist also impresses, bringing menace and conviction to a role that could easily have felt one-dimensional.
There are intermittent bursts of drama that keep the film from being entirely forgettable — and for fans of the genre or the actors, those moments offer some mild reward.
What Doesn’t Work
Everything else, unfortunately. The screenplay, also penned by Unnikrishnan, feels formulaic from the outset. Scenes are predictable, the pacing drags, and the film’s narration is sluggish in a way that tests patience rather than builds tension. The technical aspects — cinematography and music particularly — are underwhelming and do nothing to elevate the material. Nivin Pauly, while sincere, appears visibly out of his comfort zone in stretches, never quite settling into the role with the full command you’d expect.
For a more balanced diet of Malayalam cinema that does political drama right, check out our South Indian film coverage and OTT recommendations on TechnoSports.
Conclusion
Prathichaya is another disappointing outing for director B. Unnikrishnan. It has a cast capable of so much more, and a premise that deserved sharper writing. As a mildly watchable OTT watch on a slow afternoon, it passes. As the political thriller it aspires to be, it falls well short. Malayalam cinema deserves — and regularly delivers — far better.
FAQs
Q: Is Prathichaya worth watching on JioHotstar?
If you’re a dedicated Nivin Pauly fan, there’s enough to get through — but Prathichaya is a largely predictable and poorly paced political thriller that doesn’t live up to its premise or its cast’s potential.
Q: Who are the standout performers in Prathichaya?
Despite the film’s shortcomings, Balachandra Menon and Sharaf U Dheen both deliver noteworthy performances, effectively carrying several scenes and keeping the film from being a complete write-off.
