{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}} {{Short description|2026 film by B. Unnikrishnan}} {{Infobox film | image = Prathichaya Film Poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = B. Unnikrishnan | writer = B. Unnikrishnan | producer = {{ubl|Gokulam Gopalan |RD Illuminations LLP}} | starring = Nivin Pauly<br>Balachandra Menon<br>Sharaf U Dheen<br>Harisree Ashokan<br>Sabitha Anand<br>Neethu Krishna<br>Ann Augustine | cinematography = Chandru Selvaraj | editing = Manoj | music = Justin Varghese | studio = {{ubl| Sree Gokulam Movies | RD Illuminations LLP}} | distributor = Sree Gokulam Movies | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2026|03|26}} | country = India | language = Malayalam | budget = | gross = | runtime = 162 minutes }}
'''''Prathichaya''''' is a 2026 Indian Malayalam-language political thriller film directed by B. Unnikrishnan.<ref>{{cite web|title=‘Pure coincidence.’ B Unnikrishnan on his political drama ‘Prathichaya’ releasing during Kerala polls|website=Onmanorama|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2026/03/23/prathichaya-movie-release-kerala-elections-b-unnikrishnan-nivin-pauly.html}}</ref> The film stars Nivin Pauly in the title role, while Balachandra Menon, Sharaf U Dheen, Sabitha Anand, Ann Augustine and Harisree Ashokan plays supporting roles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nivin Pauly-B Unnikrishnan film titled Prathichaya, trailer out|website=The New Indian Express|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2026/Feb/18/malayalamnews2026feb18nivin-pauly-b-unnikrishnan-film-titled-prathichaya}}</ref> The film was released theatrically on 26 March 2026.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nivin Pauly's Political Thriller 'Prathichaya' Gets Release Date, To Hit Theatres On March 26|website=News18|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/malayalam-cinema/nivin-paulys-political-thriller-prathichaya-gets-release-date-to-hit-theatres-on-march-26-ws-kl-9981073.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nivin Pauly's 'Prathichaya' To Be Released On March 26|website=Hollywood Reporter India|url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/insight/nivin-paulys-prathichaya-to-be-released-on-march-26}}</ref>
The film was produced by Sree Gokulam Movies and RD Illuminations LLP and the music is composed by Justin Varghese.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nivin Pauly announces release date of political thriller 'Prathichaya' for March 26: 'A father’s legacy, a son’s destiny'|website=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/nivin-pauly-announces-release-date-of-political-thriller-prathichaya-for-march-26-a-fathers-legacy-a-sons-destiny/articleshow/129632842.cms}}</ref> The film develops as a tense father-son drama set against a backdrop of modern political warfare and digital surveillance.
==Plot== John Varghese, a tech entrepreneur who attempts to salvage the reputation of his father, a Chief Minister embroiled in a political scandal. As John deploys technology and strategic narratives to influence public perception, he uncovers layers of conspiracy involving political rivals, media manipulation and corporate interests.
==Cast== {{colbegin}} * Nivin Pauly as John Varghese, New Chief Minister of Kerala * Balachandra Menon as K. N. Varghese, John's father and former Chief Minister of Kerala * Sharaf U Dheen as Ravi Madhavan * Harisree Ashokan as Purushothaman * Sabitha Anand as Annamma Varghese * Ann Augustine as Nisha Chandrakumar * Saikumar as N. P. Jayadevan * Maniyanpilla Raju as Minister Ramakrishan * Chirag Jani as Sukesh Pandey * Nishanth Sagar as Tobin Varghese * Vishnu Agasthya as Arvind * Neethu Krishna as Rosa John * Vijitha Vijayakumar as Rani Tobin * Megha Thomas as Thara Vijayan IPS * Nandini Gopalakrishnan * Baby Dhwani as Mariya Tobin * Vyshakh as Ishaan Tejas * Aneena as Elizabeth Jacob * Baby Fyza as Aswini Chandrakumar {{colend}}
==Release== The film was released theatrically on 26 March 2026.<ref>{{cite web|title='പ്രതിഛായ' റിലീസ് തീയതി പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു; മാർച്ച് 26-ന് തിയേറ്ററിലെത്തും|website=Mathrubhumi News|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/prathichaya-movie-release-date-qi2nfxfa}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=നിവിൻ പോളി, ബാലചന്ദ്ര മേനോൻ ചിത്രം 'പ്രതിഛായ' മാർച്ച് റിലീസ്|website=News18|url=https://malayalam.news18.com/news/film/nivin-pauly-balachandra-menon-movie-prathichaya-gets-release-date-mm-766241.html}}</ref>
The digital streaming rights of the film is acquired by JioHotstar and began streaming from 24 April 2026.<ref>{{cite web|title='Prathichaya' OTT release: When and where to watch Nivin Pauly and B Unnikrishnan's political thriller|website=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/prathichaya-ott-release-when-and-where-to-watch-nivin-pauly-and-b-unnikrishnans-political-thriller/articleshow/130345535.cms}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nivin Pauly starrer 'Prathichaya' locks its OTT release date; here's where to watch|website=Onmanorama|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2026/04/20/nivin-pauly-balachandra-menon-movie-prathichaya-ott-release-date.html}}</ref>
==Reception==
=== Critical response === The film received mixed reviews from critics.
Sajin Sreejith of The Week rated 4 out of 5 and wrote "B. Unnikrishnan's best film with efficient turns from Nivin Pauly and Balachandra Menon".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/review/movies/2026/03/26/prathichaya-review-b-unnikrishnans-best-film-with-efficient-turns-from-nivin-pauly-and-balachandra-menon.html|title='Prathichaya' review: B. Unnikrishnan's best film with efficient turns from Nivin Pauly and Balachandra Menon|date=26 March 2026|website=The Week|access-date=8 May 2026}}</ref>
Latha Srinivasan of NDTV gave 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Prathichaya turns out to be a slow-paced family and political drama with an underwhelming script".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/prathichaya-review-nivin-paulys-political-thriller-lacks-thrills-drowns-in-monotony-from-weak-script-11269636 | title=Prathichaya Review: Nivin Pauly's Political Thriller Drowns In Monotony | date=26 March 2026 | website=NDTV | access-date=4 May 2026 | archive-date=4 May 2026 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260504154603/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/prathichaya-review-nivin-paulys-political-thriller-lacks-thrills-drowns-in-monotony-from-weak-script-11269636 | url-status=live }}</ref>
Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Prathichaya is marred throughout by poor performances from the main cast".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/prathichaya-movie-review-nivin-pauly-political-drama-is-old-wine-in-a-new-bottle-10601805/ | title=Prathichaya movie review: Nivin Pauly's political drama is old wine in a new bottle | date=27 March 2026 | website=Indian Express | access-date=4 May 2026 | archive-date=4 May 2026 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260504155927/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/prathichaya-movie-review-nivin-pauly-political-drama-is-old-wine-in-a-new-bottle-10601805/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
S R Praveen of The Hindu reviewed the film as "Not even a whitewash can contemporise this old-fashioned political thriller".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/prathichaya-movie-review-nivin-pauly-malayalam-movie-kerala-politics-old-fashioned-thriller/article70788022.ece | title=‘Prathichaya’ movie review: Not even a whitewash can contemporise this old-fashioned political thriller | date=26 March 2026 | website=The Hindu | access-date=8 May 2026}}</ref>
Vignesh Madhu of Cinema Express wrote "A dated political drama lifted by flashes of sharp writing ".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2026/Mar/26/prathichaya-movie-review-a-dated-political-drama-lifted-by-flashes-of-sharp-writing | title=Prathichaya Movie Review: A dated political drama lifted by flashes of sharp writing | date=26 March 2026 | website=Cinema Express | access-date=8 May 2026}}</ref>
Sanjay Ponnappa of India Today wrote "This Nivin Pauly film needs max patience for minimal pay-off".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/nivin-pauly-prathichaya-political-drama-corruption-scandal-review-2887445-2026-03-26 | title=Prathichaya review: This Nivin Pauly film needs max patience for minimal pay-off | date=26 March 2026 | website=India Today| access-date=8 May 2026}}</ref>
Princy Alexander of Onmanorama wrote "B Unnikrishnan-Nivin Pauly film is an emotionally-charged political thriller".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2026/03/26/prathichaya-full-review-b-unnikrishnan-nivin-pauly-political-movie.html | title='Prathichaya' review: B Unnikrishnan-Nivin Pauly film is an emotionally-charged political thriller | date=26 March 2026 | website=Onamanorama| access-date=8 May 2026}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External Links== {{IMDb title|tt39283431}} Category:2026 Indian films Category:2026 Malayalam-language films Category:2020s political films Category:Indian political thriller films