Prathichaya marks an important moment for each director B. Unnikrishnan and actor Nivin Pauly, as they appear to regain momentum of their respective careers. While Unnikrishnan has been looking for a serious hit for over a decade, Nivin Pauly recently ended his dry spell with Sarvam Maya, only to face a setback with Baby Girl. This film arrives at a time when each are aiming to re-establish their footing within the industry.
With Prathichaya, the duo dives into the political thriller space, mixing real-world inspirations with fictional storytelling. Early audience reactions on X suggest a movie that grows over time, starting on a modest note before constructing into something more engaging. Let’s take a have a look at what audiences are saying in regards to the film on X.
Padam starts on a dull note but picks up towards the interval – Solar Case
Okay watch!
Balachandran Menon 👍👌 https://t.co/1M9YSSCvzJ
— SHK (@ItsmeShk) March 26, 2026
For the primary half, Prathichaya has received a mixed, barely positive response from the audience. The solid performances and background music are being praised, with veteran actor Balachandra Menon receiving essentially the most appreciation through comments like “Balachandra Menon is excellent” and “Relevant Socio Political Dialogues Which is Fully Owned by Balachandra Menon as Minister Varghese.”
#Prathichaya – DECENT FIRST HALF!!
F.H IS Filled With Some Relevant Socio Political Dialogues Which is Fully Owned by Balachandra Menon as Minister Varghese. #NivinPauly Have Less Screen Time, But Engaged With F.H
Decent Execution From B. UNNIKRISHNAN, In search of a Decent S. H pic.twitter.com/uRiCIAw9p5
— Abin Babu 🦇 (@AbinBabu2255) March 26, 2026
Some viewers feel the film gains pace and intrigue towards the interval despite a weak start, noting that it “starts on a dull note but picks up towards the interval.” A couple of also mention that the script just isn’t entirely up to speed but still acceptable, with comments like “Decent Writing” and “Unnikrishnan delivers an emotional but barely outdated first half.”
#Prathichaya Review
FIRST HALF
Decent ✌️#NivinPauly & the remaining of the solid are perfect and enhance many scenes with their performances 🔥
Good BGM & production values 💯
Decent Writing ✌️
Second half is the important thing 👏#PrathichayaReview pic.twitter.com/ySeb2rduHX
— Swayam Kumar Das (@KumarSwayam3) March 26, 2026
Nevertheless, almost everyone agrees that the film needs a powerful second half to succeed. “Arrange well for the second half and a Nivin show!” Many are hoping for a solid performance from Nivin Pauly within the latter half. Sharaf U Dheen, playing the antagonist, can also be receiving positive feedback from the audience, with reactions like “Sharafudheen as villain is all the time SOLID & menacing.”
First Half is Good 🔥#NivinPauly and lead actors delivered strong performances 💥
Justin BGM are so good 💥
Balachandra Menon is excellent 🔥
Writing is sweet from B Unni 👍🏻
All eyes on second half 👀👏 pic.twitter.com/4md3ulodd5
— Sreek™ (@SreekThereal) March 26, 2026
Good first half — similar to the trailer, it dives into Kerala politics and a powerful father–son theme. Technically neat, with a solid performance from Balachandra Menon.
Arrange well for the second half and a @NivinOfficial show! 🔥#Prathichaya pic.twitter.com/nWfCATKADn
— K A L K I (@iamkalki_13) March 26, 2026
The second half is where Prathichaya really picks up steam, and it is almost universally praised, giving the general film a positive aura. Some are even hailing it as a return to form for the writer-director, with reactions like “solid comeback for #BUnnikrishnan,” “A very good film from B. Unnikrishnan with strong political content and good execution”, and “B Unnikrishnan’s best in recent times”.
A very good film from B Unnikrishnan
with strong political content and good execution 👌🏻🔥Keeps engaged throughout 💯
Well shot, well scored, and well performed 💯
Liked it ❤#NivinPauly https://t.co/UgCgSdxxPt
— Sreek™ (@SreekThereal) March 26, 2026
#Prathichaya,a very good Malayalam political thriller after some time,a solid comeback for #BUnnikrishnan👏Partly based on real Kerala political incidents with some fictional touch. #BalachandraMenon is the soul of film,what a performance🔥#NivinPauly’s intro & SH portions🔥 Go for it👍 pic.twitter.com/L1CT7cGUeN
— Akshay (@iAkshayRPillai) March 26, 2026
As mentioned in the primary half, praise for the technical points continues here as well. Nivin Pauly’s performance can also be being appreciated, with comments like “#NivinPauly delivers a mature, layered performance.” and “Nivin and Balachandra Menon delivered their best of their roles”.
• #Prathichaya is a well written political thriller,a very good first half followed by a superb second.💥🙌🏻 The script is inspired by real incidents from Kerala politics. Nivin and Balachandra Menon delivered their best of their roles, and Sharafudheen did his part well too.… pic.twitter.com/yDeY0nyeTH
— ⇜𝐋⛥𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂⇝ (@itzMeAswanth) March 26, 2026
A very good political thriller that keeps you engaged in parts👍
B.Unni handles the topic neatly, while #NivinPauly delivers a mature, layered performance.
Overall a satisfying experience👏
Kudos to Sharfu, and Balachandra Menon,with the technical team backing it well.#Prathichaya pic.twitter.com/LRzoloR8tn— K A L K I (@iamkalki_13) March 26, 2026
Decent Political Thriller 💯#NivinPauly & the remaining of the solid shine 👏
Decent Writing & Screenplay ✌️
B Unnikrishnan’s best in recent times ✌️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5#PrathichayaReview pic.twitter.com/hSN1UiZOEi
— Swayam Kumar Das (@KumarSwayam3) March 26, 2026
2nd intro kathichuu…!!#NivinPauly 🔥🔥#Prathichaya pic.twitter.com/vJyknkPk7u
— ꜱ ʜ ɪ ᴊ ᴀ ꜱ_ᴋ ꜱ (@Shijas_ks_) March 26, 2026
Prathichaya draws inspiration from real political incidents in Kerala while remaining largely fictionalized. The film opens on a measured note, fastidiously constructing its characters and plot before rising to a compelling payoff. The solid and crew are being widely appreciated for his or her efforts, with Balachandra Menon standing out throughout and Nivin Pauly shining within the latter half, the duo delivering a convincing father-son dynamic.
Backed by positive early word of mouth, the film has the potential to emerge as a hit. B. Unnikrishnan, too, is earning praise after a protracted gap for his filmmaking. Elevated by a much-loved background rating, Prathichaya shapes up as a solid look ahead to audiences who enjoy political thrillers.
Prathichaya Trailer
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