The period actioner Pallichattambi, directed by Dijo Jose Antony and starring Tovino Thomas in the lead role, has opened to mostly negative reviews from critics. However, the film has registered reasonable numbers at the global box office three days into its release.
According to data from the tracker Sacnilk, the film has grossed 6.59 crore at the worldwide box office over the first three days. At the India box office alone, it has registered a net collection of 5.73 crore, the tracker reports. On Vishu, the first day of its release, the film earned 3.34 crore at the box office. On the second and third days, the Pallichattambi box office collection dropped to 1.90 crore and 1.56 crore, respectively. The box office collection figures for the fourth day are yet to be out.
The film also stars Kayadu Lohar and Vijayaraghavan in important roles. It has a cameo appearance from Prithviraj Sukumaran as well. The makers of the film tried hard to keep Prithviraj's cameo a secret until the day of its release, but news about it got leaked during the film's production itself.
The film is set mostly in the 1950s, coinciding with the rule of the first Communist government in Kerala. Amidst the liberation struggle, a church, which is against the Communist Party, believing that it will end their religion, hires a local hooligan (Tovino).
In our review, Vignesh Madu wrote, "Pallichattambi had all the ingredients to be a standout entry in Tovino’s filmography. With a sharper focus, more layered storytelling, and restraint in its scale-driven approach, it could have been a more compelling socio-political drama. Instead, it remains a film of unrealised potential, weighed down by its own ambitions."
