ONE WORD: Prathichaya Misses the Spark, Let Down by Weak Writing and Flat Direction

A Review by Arunjyothi R 

LANGUAGE: MALAYALAM 

DURATION: 02 Hours 42 Minutes 

GENRE: Political Thriller Drama 

•POSITIVES:

1: Making

2: Socially relevant theme 

3: Cinematography 

4: Songs 

5: Performance of Balachandra Menon 

 •NEGATIVES:

1: Predictability 

2: Familiar political story backdrop  

3: Duration of the film

4: Average Direction 

5: Boring Screenplay 

6: Editing 

7: Background Score 

8: Poor character development 

9: Miscast of Nivin Pauly and Sharafudheen 

STORY: 

Varghese, the Chief Minister of Kerala, is a skilled and experienced politician who knows how to handle power, pressure, and public image. In his family, his two sons are very different from each other. His elder son Tobin is deeply involved in politics and dreams of becoming a leader like his father. But his younger son John chooses a different life, staying away from politics and working in the IT field.

Even though Varghese often faces accusations and controversies, he has always managed to overcome them through legal means. But things take a serious turn when Nisha suddenly accuses him of sexual harassment during a live television show. The news shocks everyone and quickly spreads across the state, affecting not just his career but his entire family.

Under heavy public pressure, Varghese is forced to resign. While Tobin stays within the political scene, trying to deal with the situation, it is John who steps forward. Believing that his father is innocent, John decides to find out the truth. As he starts digging deeper, he begins to uncover a larger story behind the accusation, leading him into a world of secrets and hidden motives

REVIEW & ANALYSIS OF THE FILM: 

Prathichaya had the potential to be a gripping political thriller, but it struggles right from the writing stage. The script lacks the sharpness and depth required for a film of this genre. Instead of building tension and curiosity, the narrative unfolds in a very straightforward and safe manner. Several scenes feel unnecessarily prolonged, as if they exist only to extend the runtime rather than add substance. This weak writing becomes the backbone problem of the film, making it difficult for the audience to stay invested.

Predictability further damages the experience. From quite early in the film, it becomes easy to anticipate where the story is heading. A political drama is expected to surprise, shock, and keep the audience guessing, but Prathichaya rarely achieves that. The absence of strong twists or unexpected turns makes the film feel routine. It follows a familiar template, offering nothing new, which reduces the excitement and engagement significantly.

The lack of depth in character writing, especially for the antagonist, is another major drawback. The villain is not given enough layers or a convincing backstory. While there are hints of personal reasons behind the actions, they are explored only superficially. This results in a weak conflict that never truly grips the audience. The emotional and psychological battle that should have driven the film feels underwhelming and incomplete.

On the brighter side, the film’s making shows some effort. The director manages to create a consistent political atmosphere that feels grounded and realistic. The tone remains serious throughout, and the film does succeed in presenting a believable political world. For viewers who enjoy this genre, the setting and overall mood may still hold some level of interest. One of the more impactful aspects of the film is its socially relevant theme. It touches upon how public opinion can be shaped and manipulated, and how such influences can affect the choices of common people. This idea resonates with real-world scenarios and adds a layer of relevance to the film. Even though the execution is not perfect, this theme stands out as one of the key positives.

Technically, the film is fairly strong. The cinematography effectively captures the mood and enhances the political setting with clean and rich visuals. Close-up shots are used wisely to bring out the emotions of the characters, while drone shots add visual scale. The songs are decent and fit into the narrative without being distracting. They may not leave a lasting impression, but they support the film adequately.

Balachandra Menon delivers a performance that adds much-needed weight to the film. His portrayal is controlled, convincing, and emotionally effective. The body language, dialogue delivery, and overall presence reflect the stature of his character very well. In many ways, his performance becomes one of the few elements that keeps the film grounded.

However, the film’s issues resurface strongly in its duration and direction. The runtime feels excessive, and the lack of tight editing makes the film drag in several places. The direction does not bring any freshness or energy, and the narrative continues in a flat manner without any real peaks. The background score further weakens the impact, often feeling loud and out of sync with the scenes, instead of enhancing the emotional depth.

And finally, the biggest disconnect comes from the casting choices. Nivin Pauly and Sharafudheen, despite being talented actors, feel completely out of place in their respective roles. Nivin, in particular, struggles to carry the weight and authority that the character demands—his performance lacks the natural intensity and conviction needed for such a role, often feeling like a forced act rather than a lived-in character. Sharafudheen, on the other hand, fails to leave any real impact as the antagonist, with his performance never rising beyond a surface-level attempt. It’s a classic case of capable actors being mismatched with roles that demand a very different screen presence and depth.

CONCLUSION:

Overall, Prathichaya feels like a film that had a strong foundation but lacked the execution to match its ambition. It touches upon a relevant and thought-provoking theme and is supported by decent technical quality and a notable performance from Balachandra Menon. However, these positives are not enough to hold the film together. The weak script, predictable narrative, and lack of emotional or dramatic highs make it a tiring watch after a point. What should have been a gripping political thriller instead turns into a slow and often unengaging experience.

In the end, the film fails to leave a lasting impact. It neither satisfies as a political drama nor works as an emotional journey. For viewers expecting tension, strong storytelling, and memorable moments, Prathichaya might come across as disappointing. It may still appeal to a small section of the audience who enjoy slow-paced political setups, but for most, it will feel like a missed opportunity. I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars, as it doesn’t fully deliver on the promise it initially sets up.

RATING: 2/5

A Review by Arunjyothi. R