The first look poster of Nayanthara from the highly anticipated Malayalam film Patriot has been released, generating considerable buzz among fans and film enthusiasts. The film, directed by Mahesh Narayanan, features an ensemble cast including Mammootty and Mohanlal in lead roles, marking their reunion after several years.
The poster, unveiled on Sunday, January 25, 2026, showcases a close-up of Nayanthara's face, with a serious and intense expression. She is seen wearing a saree, which adds to the character's depth and suggests a strong emotional core. The poster's tagline, "Dissent is patriotic," hints at the film's exploration of socio-political themes, raising questions about power, belief, and resistance.
Adding to the intrigue, a hidden Morse code within the poster was quickly decoded by fans to reveal the date "April 23". This is believed to be the film's release date.
Patriot is an upcoming spy action drama directed by Mahesh Narayanan, known for his work in Malayalam cinema. Besides Mammootty and Mohanlal, the film features Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Revathy, and Darshana Rajendran in key roles.
The film's teaser, released earlier, provides a glimpse into the narrative, with Mohanlal appearing as Col Rahim Naik and Mammootty as Dr Daniel James. The storyline seems to revolve around these two characters forming an alliance to dismantle an illicit operation. The teaser also introduces a mysterious element called 'Periscope' and references a student laptop scheme, suggesting a layered storyline with political undertones.
Patriot is produced by Anto Joseph and KG Anil Kumar. The film has music by Sushin Shyam and cinematography by Manush Nandan. The production has taken a pan-Indian approach, with filming taking place across India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE.
Nayanthara's other upcoming projects include Toxic, starring Yash, directed by Geetu Mohandas, slated for release on March 19, 2026. She will also be seen in Dear Students, co-starring Nivin Pauly, Mookuthi Amman 2 with director Sundar C, and Hi, co-starring Kavin.
