'Prathichaya' Audience Review: Mixed Response To Nivin Pauly’s Political Thriller

A reviewer on X described Prathichaya as a strictly average political drama with an outdated script but decent direction.

Prathichaya Audience Review Edited by
'Prathichaya' Audience Review: Mixed Response To Nivin Pauly’s Political Thriller

Prathichaya Twitter Review: Mixed Response To Nivin Pauly’s Political Thriller

Prathichaya, starring Nivin Pauly and directed by B. Unnikrishnan, has hit theatres today as a gripping Malayalam political thriller that dives deep into power, conspiracy, and the complexities of governance.

Featuring performances by Sharafudheen, Balachandra Menon, Harisree Ashokan, and Ann Augustine, the film marks a serious tonal shift for its lead actors, moving away from their usual lighthearted roles.

Set against Kerala’s political backdrop, the story follows a political aide entangled in a high-stakes corporate conspiracy involving a Chief Minister, exploring themes of manipulation, pressure, and moral conflict.

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The film has already sparked discussions for its perceived resemblance to real-life political events linked to Oommen Chandy, although the makers have clarified it is purely fictional.

Now, let’s take a look at what social media is saying about the film.

A reviewer on X described Prathichaya as a strictly average political drama with an outdated script but decent direction. They noted that while the leading cast delivered good performances overall, Nivin Pauly’s performance did not fully meet expectations, particularly pointing out issues with his dialogue delivery.

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The reviewer concluded that the film is a one-time watch and suggested that viewers could give it a try if they have enough time, rating it 2.5 out of 5.

A user on X praised Prathichaya as a refreshing Malayalam political thriller, calling it a solid comeback for B. Unnikrishnan. They noted that the film feels partly inspired by real political events in Kerala while maintaining a fictional narrative.

The reviewer highlighted Balachandra Menon as the soul of the film, applauding his powerful performance. They also appreciated Nivin Pauly’s introduction scenes and Sharafudheen’s portions, ultimately recommending the film as a worthwhile watch


Another viewer on X shared a critical take on Prathichaya, calling it a mediocre political drama filled with gimmicks and amateurish execution. They criticised the film’s shot division and felt the overall making lacked finesse, though they mentioned the script works in parts.

The user appreciated Balachandra Menon’s performance, but found Nivin Pauly underwhelming and felt Sharafudheen was miscast. They also pointed out that the film is overly long and could have been trimmed by at least 30 minutes by reducing unnecessary slow-motion sequences, ultimately rating it 2 out of 5.


Another user on X described Prathichaya as a gripping, peak political thriller, praising Nivin Pauly for his swag and impactful dialogue delivery. They also highlighted strong performances from Ann Augustine, Sharafudheen, and Balachandra Menon. The reviewer called the film a solid redemption for B. Unnikrishnan and concluded that it is definitely worth watching, encouraging audiences to go for it.

A user on X called Prathichaya an intense political thriller, praising Nivin Pauly and the rest of the cast for their impressive performances. They also highlighted the music by Justin Varghese as a strong point. Overall, the reviewer described the film as “peak cinema” that excels in every department.