Zarin Shihab Defends Mohanlal’s Tragic Role in Mahesh Narayanan’s Patriot

Actor Zarin Shihab addresses the backlash surrounding the superstar's limited screen time, asserting that the creative choices were intentional and fully supported by the cast.

The release of Patriot, directed by Mahesh Narayanan, was one of the most anticipated cinematic events of 2026. Bringing legends Mammootty and Mohanlal together on screen for the first time in nearly two decades, the espionage thriller generated massive hype. However, the film faced a polarizing reception upon release, with some viewers expressing significant disappointment over the narrative arc of Mohanlal’s character, Colonel Rahim Naik, who exits the story relatively early.

Addressing the 'Betrayal' Narrative

In the wake of the film's underperformance at the box office, a segment of the audience voiced their frustration, with some even accusing director Mahesh Narayanan of "betraying" Mohanlal by giving him a truncated role. Zarin Shihab, who delivered a standout performance in the project, has stepped forward to clarify the reality behind the casting. According to Shihab, the notion of betrayal is a misunderstanding of how the creative process unfolded.

Shihab explains that the cast was fully aware of the script's trajectory long before production began. She emphasizes that Mohanlal did not approach the project as a typical star vehicle, but rather as an artist invested in the film's broader themes. "He knew what he was signing up for," Shihab noted, highlighting that the legendary actor chose the role because he was drawn to the substance of the narrative rather than the duration of his appearance.

A Visionary Approach to Storytelling

Mahesh Narayanan has similarly dismissed claims of personal bias or poor treatment of the superstar. The director clarified in recent interviews that he approached all his lead actors with a completed screenplay. He noted that Mohanlal actually responded positively to the political nuances and the specific fate of his character during the initial narration. The two had discussed the character’s inspirations—including real-world figures—and Mohanlal had expressed genuine satisfaction with how his scenes were executed, even during the post-production dubbing stage.

For Shihab, working on a Mahesh Narayanan film was a transformative experience. She points out that the director’s background as an editor brings a unique, detail-oriented structure to his storytelling. While the film’s exploration of data privacy and complex geopolitical themes may have lacked the conventional commercial beats some audiences expected from a Mammootty-Mohanlal reunion, Shihab believes that many of the film's artistic merits were unfairly overshadowed by these specific, narrow criticisms.

Learning from Industry Titans

Beyond the discourse surrounding the script, Shihab reflects fondly on the environment on set. She describes Mammootty as an incredibly generous co-actor who helped alleviate the natural intimidation one might feel when working with such an esteemed icon. Similarly, she praised the observational skills of co-star Nayanthara, noting that the superstar’s constant engagement with the set and the craft—even when not in front of the camera—served as a masterclass for her own performance.

Despite the mixed commercial outcome, the experience of being part of Patriot remains a significant milestone for the actor. Shihab maintains that the film stands as a bold, serious exploration of modern issues, and that the creative team’s commitment to the director's vision was absolute from the very start.