Director Mahesh Narayanan's Patriot opened in theatres on Friday to a mixed response from audiences. While audiences generally liked the technical aspects of the film, they also expressed their reservations about its pacing, storytelling, and even some of the performances. At the same time, the film has gone down very well with a section of the audience and some critics. Despite the mixed response on the whole, the film, starring Mammootty, Kunchacko Boban, Fahadh Faasil, and Mohanlal in an extended cameo, is off to a bumper start at the box office.
According to data from the industry tracker Sacnilk, Patriot grossed 29.37 crore from theatres worldwide. It is worth noting that the film has earned more abroad as compared to India. Sacnilk data shows that it earned 11.37 crore from theatres in India and 18 crore from the rest of the world. The Patriot box office collection in India stands at 9.80 crore net, according to the industry tracker.
It is also worth noting that the a good part of the aforementioned collection stems from pre-release advance bookings.
The film tells the story of a scientific advisor who works for the defence trying to bring an evil corporate and the key personnel behind it to justice. The espionage thriller explores socially relevant topics such as digital surveillance for personal vendetta and power control, the fragility of civilian life at a time of spyware intrusion, and so forth. The film also stars Rajiv Menon, Zarin Shihab, Darshana Rajendran, Indrans, and Grace Antony in supporting roles.
Patriot has brought Mohanlal and Mammootty back together onscreen after 2008's Twenty:20, directed by Joshiy. There has been much anticipation for the film for the reunion of the two industry titans.
