‘He liked that aspect... he is happy with the film’: Mahesh Narayanan on Mohanlal’s role in Patriot

Filmmaker Mahesh Narayanan has addressed the growing social media chatter surrounding Mohanlal’s character arc in the recently released espionage thriller Patriot. Amidst a flurry of mixed reactions from fans, the writer-director clarified that the veteran superstar was intimately involved in the creative process and had embraced the film's gritty, political undertones from the very first narration.

Patriot, which hit screens on 1 May, has become a cinematic landmark as the first onscreen pairing of icons Mammootty and Mohanlal in nearly two decades. However, the film’s refusal to indulge in traditional "superstar" tropes has left a section of the audience divided, particularly concerning the fate and screen time of Mohanlal’s character, Colonel Rahim Naik.
Speaking to YouTube channel Movie World Media, Mahesh emphasised that the screenplay was finalised long before the lead actors were cast. He maintained that no "masala" or artificial sequences were added to appease fanbases.

"We approached everyone with the complete screenplay," Narayanan said. "The only doubt I had was whether Lal sir [Mohanlal] would appreciate one specific, pivotal aspect of his character. Far from being concerned, he immediately connected with the thematic layers."

The director revealed that during a narration at the Aashirvad Cinemas office, Mohanlal displayed his characteristic sharp intellect, identifying several real-world inspirations woven into the script.

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Real-world parallelisms
The filmmaker noted that Mohanlal was quick to spot the similarities between the film’s plot and several high-profile international incidents. These include the tragic killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an airport sequence in the film apparently inspired by the 2017 poisoning of Kim Jong-nam, and references to chemical warfare. Mohanlal reportedly identified the specific toxin referred to in the film’s storyline as being similar to the one linked to the poisoning of Russian activist Alexei Navalny.

"He even mentioned the chemical by name," Narayanan recalled. "Lal sir is incredibly well-read and follows global politics closely. He told me that if we were to make the film exactly as narrated, without adding 'extra' scenes for his sake, then it was correct."

A grounded reunion

Despite the enormous pressure of the "Big M" reunion, which also features an ensemble including Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, and Kunchacko Boban, Mahesh Narayanan has visibly stayed true to his grounded filmmaking style. In the film, Mammootty plays Dr Daniel James, a government analyst turned whistleblower, while Mohanlal appears in the second half as a physically impaired military officer.

Responding to critics who felt Mohanlal was “under-utilised,” Mahesh Narayanan was quoted as telling the media, “He watched the final cut in the US and expressed his happiness.”

While the debate continues over whether the BigMs were tapped to their full potential in Patriot, the film continues its run in theatres. (With inputs from Agencies)