Prathichaya (2026)
DirectorB. Unnikrishnan
StarringNivin Pauly, Sharafudheen, Neethu Krishna, Balachandra Menon
Watch onJioHotstar
Best for: Fans of Malayalam political thrillers and Nivin Pauly looking for a tense, technology-driven drama.
Where to watch Prathichaya online in India
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JioHotstarAvailability for India, data by JustWatch. Updated 23 October 2026.
Prathichaya OTT release date
| Theatrical release (India) | 26 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| OTT / digital release (India) | 24 April 2026 |
| Gap between theatre and OTT | 29 days |
| Streaming now on | JioHotstar |
Release dates for India as listed on TMDB.
Prathichaya story (no spoilers)
Prathichaya is a Malayalam thriller-drama directed by B. Unnikrishnan. The story begins with the death of Kerala's Chief Minister, K N Varghese (Balachandra Menon), in a scandal engineered by a ruthless media tycoon. His son, John Varghese (Nivin Pauly), a brilliant tech entrepreneur, steps into the blood-soaked arena of politics to expose the conspiracy and vindicate his father. To do so, he turns technology against those who weaponized it. The film follows John as he navigates a world of power, betrayal, and media manipulation, using his skills to fight back. The tone is tense and dramatic, with a focus on the clash between technology and political corruption. The runtime is 157 minutes, and the film is certified U. It releases in theatres in India on 26 March 2026, and streams on JioHotstar from 24 April 2026.
Should you watch Prathichaya?
Watch it for
- Nivin Pauly leads as John Varghese, a tech entrepreneur taking on a media tycoon, supported by Sharafudheen, Neethu Krishna, and Balachandra Menon.
- Director B. Unnikrishnan returns to the political thriller space with a story about a CM's death and a son's mission to expose a conspiracy.
- The film blends technology and politics in a 157-minute thriller-drama, with music by Justin Varghese.
- It releases in theatres on 26 March 2026 and arrives on JioHotstar on 24 April 2026, giving viewers a quick OTT option.
Skip it if
- You prefer lighter genres; this is a thriller-drama with a serious political conspiracy plot.
- You want a short watch; the runtime is 157 minutes.
- You dislike stories centered on media manipulation and political revenge.
Prathichaya cast
Nivin Paulyas John Varghese
Sharafudheenas Ravi Madhavan
Neethu Krishnaas Rosa Jayadevan
Balachandra Menonas K N Varghese
Harisree Ashokanas Purushothaman
Maniyanpilla Rajuas Ramakrishnan
Ann Augustineas Nisha Chandrakumar
Vishnu Agasthyaas Aravindhan
Nishanth Sagaras Tobin Varghese
Saikumaras Jayadevan
Vijitha Vijayakumaras RaniPrathichaya movie details
| Director | B. Unnikrishnan |
|---|---|
| Writer | B. Unnikrishnan |
| Music | Justin Varghese |
| Cinematography | Chandru Selvaraj |
| Producer | Gokulam Gopalan, B. Unnikrishnan |
| Release date | 23 March 2026 |
| Runtime | 2h 37m (157 minutes) |
| Original language | Malayalam |
| Country of origin | India |
| Languages spoken in the film | Malayalam |
| Original title | പ്രതിഛായ |
| Certificate (India) | U |
Parental guide: is Prathichaya family friendly?
The film carries a U certificate, indicating it is suitable for all ages; this is a general guide based on certification and genre. This is a general guide based on genre and certification.
Our verdict
Prathichaya pairs Nivin Pauly with director B. Unnikrishnan for a political thriller about a son avenging his father's death through technology. The 157-minute runtime and U certificate make it accessible, though the conspiracy plot demands attention. It is a solid pick for genre fans.
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Where can I watch Prathichaya online in India?
Prathichaya streams on JioHotstar in India. It is available from 24 April 2026.
What is the OTT release date of Prathichaya?
Prathichaya releases on JioHotstar on 24 April 2026.
When does Prathichaya release in theatres?
Prathichaya releases in Indian theatres on 26 March 2026.
Who is in the cast of Prathichaya?
The cast includes Nivin Pauly as John Varghese, Sharafudheen as Ravi Madhavan, Neethu Krishna as Rosa Jayadevan, Balachandra Menon as K N Varghese, Harisree Ashokan as Purushothaman, Maniyanpilla Raju as Ramakrishnan, Ann Augustine as Nisha Chandrakumar, and Vishnu Agasthya as Aravindhan.
What is the runtime and certificate of Prathichaya?
Prathichaya runs for 157 minutes and is certified U in India.
Page last updated 23 October 2026. Facts from TMDB; how we write these pages: editorial policy.