Mammootty Resumes Shooting For Mahesh Narayanan’s Patriot

Hyderabad, October 1: Mammootty is working again. After a short break for health reasons, the 73-year-old actor reported to the Hyderabad set of Mahesh Narayanan’s film Patriot on Tuesday, putting to rest weeks of speculation and anxiety in the industry.

The news didn’t come through an official release. It came from Mammootty himself. On X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: “Back to doing what I love most in life after a short break … The camera is calling.” Just like that, a quiet ripple of worry among fans turned into relief. Within hours, the post had been shared thousands of times, with the familiar outpouring of fan edits and good wishes.

The Film Kept Moving

Even as the actor was away, Mahesh Narayanan didn’t let the project stall. Some scenes were shot without him. By the director’s own count, nearly 60 percent of the film is already in the can. “The story has grown beyond our expectations,” he told The Times of India, hinting that Patriot is taking on a larger scale than first planned.

This isn’t just any film. It’s a rare reunion of Mammootty and Mohanlal. Two men who have dominated Malayalam cinema for over four decades, who have carried its weight on their shoulders, and who now, once again, stand side by side. Every time they come together, the industry stops and watches.

A Collaboration With Stakes

For director Narayanan, the challenge is clear. He has built his reputation on films like Take Off, C U Soon, and Malik stories that are political, layered, and rooted in people rather than spectacle. With Patriot, he has to balance that craft while also handling the expectations that come with two of the biggest stars of Indian cinema.

Malayalam cinema doesn’t often play the game of mega-star pairings. Its strength has always been story. But when Mammootty and Mohanlal appear together, audiences demand both: story and stardom. That’s a difficult tightrope to walk.

The Health Question

Mammootty’s absence had raised concern. No official details were shared, which only fuelled speculation. Fans whispered, news portals circled, and the silence stretched. His return has ended that uncertainty.

At 73, the actor’s consistency is staggering. In the past few years alone, he has balanced festival films like Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam with crowd-pleasers, proving that he refuses to be boxed in. He doesn’t coast on his legacy; he keeps remaking it.

What Lies Ahead

The Hyderabad schedule is packed. High-voltage scenes with both Mammootty and Mohanlal are on the cards. After that, the crew will reportedly move to Kerala and possibly shoot abroad. If all goes to plan, Patriot could be ready for release in 2026.

Nobody on the team has revealed much about the story. Industry chatter suggests themes of nationalism, identity, and sacrifice all motifs that Narayanan has explored in some form before. Whether those guesses are accurate or not, one thing is clear: the film will not be a straightforward star vehicle. Narayanan is not that kind of filmmaker.

Bigger Than One Film

There’s also a larger picture here. Malayalam cinema is in the middle of a global moment. Films like 2018 and Minnal Murali have pushed their reach far beyond Kerala, while streaming platforms have opened new doors. Patriot, with two giants at the center and a director of Narayanan’s calibre at the helm, carries the potential to be more than a hit. It could be a statement of where the industry is headed.

For now, though, the big story is simple. Mammootty is back on set. The camera is rolling. And Patriot has its heart again.

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Ayesha Khan

Entertainment Correspondent – Ayesha@hindustanherald.in – Web

Covers films, television, streaming, and celebrity culture with a focus on storytelling trends.

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