There have been multiple reports about the Censor Board asking the makers of Patriot to change the name of a villain, because it is similar to that of a politician's son. Now, how true is this claim? The film's producer Anto Joseph dismissed it in a recent conversation with Onmanorama. Anto confirmed that the Censor Board asked for certain other changes in the film, although these have had no major effect on its core story.
As reported earlier, director Mahesh Narayanan's film brings Mohanlal and Mammootty back together for the first time after 2013's Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty, where Mohanlal had a cameo. They were seen together in more important roles before in 2008's Twenty:20, directed by Joshiy.
The upcoming film also stars Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, Revathy, Darshana Rajendran, Geethi Sangeetha, Zarin Shihab, and Grace Antony, among others.
The recently released Patriot trailer hints at a story where Mammootty's character, Daniel, turns rogue against his former employer, Shakti Solutions, after its 'social evaluator' software starts to affect civilian life. Judging by the trailer, standing in Daniel's way is Fahadh Faasil's character, seemingly a loyal servant of Shakti Solutions even after the trouble it causes to civilians. Mohanlal plays Daniel's longtime friend, who assists him in his mission against what appears to be an evil corporate.
The film is produced by Anto under his eponymous banner along with KG Anil Kumar. It marks Mahesh's return to a story that explores the dangers of technology following C You Soon (2020), where Fahadh and Darshana portrayed key roles.
Patriot is slated for a May 01 release in theatres. Meanwhile, the film's cast and director are coming together for a conversation about it, which will start streaming on JioHotstar soon.