Prathichaya Review: Nivin Pauly’s Political Drama Has Power, But Where’s the Punch?

With B. Unnikrishnan at the helm and a cast led by Nivin Pauly and Balachandra Menon, Prathichaya sets itself up as a politically charged drama rooted in relationships and power dynamics. Add to that Justin Varghese’s music and a narrative packed with media scrutiny, corporate intrigue, and emotional undercurrents, and it sounds like a compelling package. But as it unfolds, the film struggles to match its own ambition. The characters carry weight, the themes feel relevant, yet the storytelling leans heavily on an outdated style that softens its impact. What could have been a sharp, contemporary political drama ends up feeling stretched and curiously distant, despite all the right elements in place.

A Familiar Political Canvas That Lacks Freshness

The film places us inside a politically charged ecosystem led by Balachandra Menon, who is the CM in the film. Alongside him is his son, portrayed by Nivin Pauly, representing the younger generation navigating the same turbulent world. The premise, filled with allegations, media scrutiny, public outreach, and corporate interference, appears compelling on paper. Yet, in execution, it feels like a story that belongs to a different cinematic era.

As I progressed through the film, predictability became a constant companion. The narrative touches upon relevant themes like media manipulation and internal political conflicts, but the treatment lacks novelty. By the midpoint, I could already anticipate the trajectory, which significantly diluted my engagement.

Performances That Try to Hold the Film Together

If there is one actor who truly commands attention, it is Sharaf U Dheen. His portrayal of a corporate antagonist carries a distinct style and confidence. There is a visual sharpness to his presence, especially in slow motion sequences where his body language and expressions create an aura of intimidation. However, I kept expecting a defining moment, a scene or dialogue that would elevate his character beyond surface-level impact. That moment, unfortunately, never arrives.

Balachandra Menon, on the other hand, delivers a performance layered with nuance. His character exists in shades of grey, oscillating between calculated manipulation and apparent compassion. I appreciated how the film refrains from presenting him as a one-dimensional leader. Instead, it reveals glimpses of corruption, strategic compromise, and political survival instincts. His emotional scenes, particularly in the first half, provide some of the film’s more engaging moments.

Nivin Pauly’s role, despite being central, feels underdeveloped. I found his performance sincere, but the writing does not offer him enough powerful moments to truly stand out. Only in the latter portions does his character show some progression, but by then, the journey feels stretched and somewhat exhausting.

Technical Merits That Flicker Inconsistently

Cinematographer Chandru Selvaraj manages to create visually appealing frames at times. There are moments where the lighting and composition genuinely impressed me, giving the film a polished look. However, this visual consistency does not sustain throughout. Certain scenes appear artificial, almost staged, which disrupts immersion.

The music by Justin Varghese had potential, but its execution left me conflicted. Instead of complementing the emotional beats, the background score often feels overpowering.

Technically, the film struggles with uneven sound design and mixing. There were instances where the lack of refinement became noticeable, pulling me out of the narrative.

Writing and Dialogues: The Film’s Weakest Link

The most significant issue I encountered lies in the writing. The screenplay feels outdated, not in terms of themes, but in the way those themes are explored. The film leans heavily on its emotional core, particularly the father-son relationship, yet I never truly felt that connection. It is presented more through exposition than genuine emotional build-up.

The same applies to other relationships, including the husband-wife dynamic and the presence of the mother. These elements appear briefly, deliver their portions, and fade away without contributing meaningful depth.

Dialogues further compound the problem. Almost every character speaks in a formal, heavy tone, as though constantly delivering statements rather than engaging in natural conversations. Even in intimate moments, the language feels staged. While some lines may sound impactful in isolation, their continuous use becomes exhausting. I found myself gradually disengaging during extended stretches of such exchanges.

Pacing That Tests Patience

With a runtime of nearly two and a half hours, the film feels longer than it actually is. Several scenes could have been trimmed without affecting the core narrative. The excessive use of slow motion, combined with redundant emotional beats and songs, contributes to a dragging pace. While I never felt the urge to walk out, I consistently felt the weight of its length.

Missed Opportunities in Political Commentary

The film attempts to address media hypocrisy and political image-building, both of which are highly relevant topics. However, these ideas are not explored with sufficient clarity or depth. Instead, they appear as scattered observations rather than forming a cohesive narrative thread.

By the time the film reaches its conclusion, I was left with the sense that it had multiple ideas but lacked the precision to execute them effectively. It tries to balance politics, family drama, and corporate intrigue, but ends up not fully satisfying in any of these areas.

Leaves an Impression While Watching, But Not After

Prathichaya turns out to be a below-average experience. It is watchable, but it does not leave a lasting impression. No character truly lingers in my mind, and no moment feels unforgettable. It is the kind of film that seems significant while watching, but fades quickly once it ends, like a conversation that sounded important at the time but ultimately meant very little.

Rating: 2.5/5