The Malayalam film Patriot, starring Mohanlal and Mammootty in the lead roles and directed by Mahesh Narayanan, was released in theatres on 1st May. The film generated significant excitement among audiences but eventually received mixed reviews and failed to perform as expected at the box office.
Patriot carried massive expectations because it reunited Mohanlal and Mammootty on screen after 18 years. The combination attracted strong attention before release. However, despite the star power and anticipation, the film struggled during its theatrical run and ended up as a commercial disappointment.
Following its theatrical performance, Patriot is now set to stream on the Zee5 OTT platform from June 5th. The film will arrive after a four-week OTT window and will be available in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi, helping it reach a much wider audience.
The film’s failure has also impacted the reputation of Mahesh Narayanan among some viewers. Before Patriot, the director was widely regarded as one of the most respected filmmakers in Malayalam cinema. The disappointing box office result has led to criticism and sparked discussions about his future projects.
Before the film’s release, reports suggested that Mahesh Narayanan might collaborate with Salman Khan. However, there have been no official updates regarding that project. Some industry trackers now speculate that the collaboration may not move forward following Patriot’s theatrical failure.
At the same time, certain viewers who watched the film raised concerns about the portrayal of the Shakthi Sundaram character played by Fahadh Faasil. Some critics argued that the film’s representation of certain communities could become a topic of debate when it reaches a larger audience through OTT streaming.
Following the Zee5 release announcement, some social media users have predicted that the film could attract stronger reactions online. Since OTT releases often reach audiences beyond theatrical markets, discussions surrounding the film’s themes and characters may intensify after its digital debut.
However, a section of viewers continues to defend Patriot. They believe the film suffered mainly because of audience expectations. According to them, many expected a mass commercial entertainer featuring Mohanlal and Mammootty, but Mahesh Narayanan delivered a content-driven spy thriller instead.
Supporters of the film argue that Patriot offers several twists and engaging moments. They feel that audiences looking for a different kind of thriller may appreciate it more on OTT. As a result, many believe the film has a better chance of finding its target audience through digital platforms.
With its Zee5 release approaching, attention is once again turning towards Patriot. It remains to be seen whether the film can gain renewed appreciation online and provide Mahesh Narayanan with a much-needed success story after its disappointing theatrical run.
