The highly anticipated reunion of Malayalam cinema legends Mammootty and Mohanlal in the espionage thriller Patriot has hit a major roadblock. The Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) has called for a boycott of the film, effectively blacklisting it across its member theatres following a breakdown in revenue-sharing negotiations with the producers. ‘Patriot’ Teaser: Mammootty and Mohanlal Reunite for Malayalam Cinema’s Biggest Extravaganza of 2025, Co-Starring Kunchacko Boban, Fahadh Faasil and Nayanthara (Watch Video).

Mamootty, Mohanlal Starrer ‘Patriot’ Blacklisted in Kerala Ahead of Release?

The controversy centres on a disagreement between producer Anto Joseph and theatre owners regarding the distribution of box-office earnings. Traditionally, the revenue-sharing model for Malayalam films in Kerala follows a sliding scale: a 60:40 split (in favour of the producer) during the first week, 55:45 in the second week, and 50:50 in the third.

However, the makers of Patriot have reportedly demanded a flat 60% share for the first two weeks of the release. FEUOK President K. Vijayakumar confirmed the organisation’s stance, stating that they cannot accept terms that deviate from the established industry standard, especially as theatres continue to navigate financial challenges.

Industry tracker Sreedhar Pillai highlighted the gravity of the situation on X (formerly Twitter), noting the unprecedented nature of the standoff. His post read, "#Patriot the most eagerly awaited Malayalam multi-starrer scheduled for April 23 release has been blacklisted by Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK)! The producers are said to be demanding unreasonable terms - 60% of net for week 1&2! Normally it is 60 & 55."

‘Patriot’ Faces Hurdles Ahead of April 2026 Release

Production Justification

Sources close to the production team argue that the higher revenue share is necessary due to the film’s massive scale. Patriot, directed by Mahesh Narayanan, is one of the most expensive projects in Mollywood history, utilising advanced filming technology and featuring an ensemble cast including Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, and Kunchacko Boban.

The producers contend that a 60% share for the first 14 days is essential to recover the high cost of production during the film's peak performance window.

Impact on the Release

The "blacklist" directive from FEUOK affects approximately 400 screens across Kerala, including the majority of single-screen cinemas. While multiplexes often operate under different agreements, a total boycott by FEUOK members would significantly dent the film’s domestic earnings.

More About ‘Patriot’

Directed by Mahesh Narayanan, Patriot is not just another action film; it marks the first full-length collaboration between Mammootty and Mohanlal in nearly 15 years. While the two appeared briefly together in Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty (2013), their last major shared screen space was in the 2008 blockbuster Twenty:20. ‘L367’: Mohanlal Announces New Film With ‘Meppadiyan’ Director Vishnu Mohan, First Look Out! (View Post).

The film features an ensemble cast, including Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, Kunchacko Boban and Revathy

TruLY Score by LatestLY
Rating:2

TruLY Score 2 – Unverified | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 2 on LatestLY. It relies on a single source or posts by social media users, with no independent verification. The content should be viewed with caution and should not be shared without further validation from credible sources.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 06, 2026 09:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).