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The much-anticipated Malayalam film Patriot, which was slated for release on April 23, has been postponed following intervention from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The board reportedly sought changes to the name of the antagonist, citing its resemblance to that of a prominent politician’s son.
Directed by Mahesh Narayanan, the film boasts a star-studded cast including Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Revathi, Nayanthara, and Darshana Rajendran.
Complying with the CBFC’s directives, the makers have carried out edits, including removing certain scenes. Reports suggest the film was re-edited at Lal Media Studio in Kochi, and a revised version is now being readied for resubmission.
This is not the first recent instance of a Mohanlal-starrer undergoing changes linked to political sensitivities. In 2025, L2: Empuraan, the sequel to Lucifer, saw multiple changes after its release. Notably, several of these were voluntary “self-cuts” by the makers following controversy over perceived similarities between a fictional antagonist and real-life political figures.
Patriot is a spy action thriller centered on a controversial intelligence mission. The film has generated significant buzz, particularly as it marks the first time in over a decade that Mammootty and Mohanlal will share screen space in a theatrical release.
The two icons have previously appeared together in several notable films, including Harikrishnans, No. 20 Madras Mail, Narasimham, and Twenty:20.
Mahesh Narayanan has previously directed critically acclaimed films such as Take Off, Malik, and Ariyippu.
This article was written by a student interning with TNM.
