# Prathichaya

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{{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](/source/B._Unnikrishnan)
| writer         = B. Unnikrishnan
| producer       = {{ubl|Gokulam Gopalan |RD Illuminations LLP}}
| starring       = [Nivin Pauly](/source/Nivin_Pauly)<br>[Balachandra Menon](/source/Balachandra_Menon)<br>[Sharaf U Dheen](/source/Sharaf_U_Dheen)<br>[Harisree Ashokan](/source/Harisree_Ashokan)<br>[Sabitha Anand](/source/Sabitha_Anand)<br>Neethu Krishna<br>[Ann Augustine](/source/Ann_Augustine)
| cinematography = [Chandru Selvaraj](/source/Chandru_Selvaraj)
| editing        = [Manoj](/source/Manoj_(film_editor))
| music          = [Justin Varghese](/source/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](/source/Malayalam-language) [political thriller film](/source/political_thriller_film) directed by [B. Unnikrishnan](/source/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](/source/Nivin_Pauly) in the [title role](/source/title_role), while [Balachandra Menon](/source/Balachandra_Menon), [Sharaf U Dheen](/source/Sharaf_U_Dheen), [Sabitha Anand](/source/Sabitha_Anand), [Ann Augustine](/source/Ann_Augustine) and [Harisree Ashokan](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Nivin_Pauly) as John Varghese, New [Chief Minister of Kerala](/source/Chief_Minister_of_Kerala)
* [Balachandra Menon](/source/Balachandra_Menon) as K. N. Varghese, John's father and former [Chief Minister of Kerala](/source/Chief_Minister_of_Kerala)
* [Sharaf U Dheen](/source/Sharaf_U_Dheen) as Ravi Madhavan
* [Harisree Ashokan](/source/Harisree_Ashokan) as Purushothaman
* [Sabitha Anand](/source/Sabitha_Anand) as Annamma Varghese
* [Ann Augustine](/source/Ann_Augustine) as Nisha Chandrakumar
* [Saikumar](/source/Sai_Kumar_(Malayalam_actor)) as N. P. Jayadevan
* [Maniyanpilla Raju](/source/Maniyanpilla_Raju) as Minister Ramakrishan
* [Chirag Jani](/source/Chirag_Jani_(actor)) as Sukesh Pandey
* [Nishanth Sagar](/source/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](/source/Indian_Police_Service)
* 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](/source/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](/source/The_Week_(magazine)) 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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Prathichaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prathichaya) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prathichaya?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.