Last updated: 8 May 2026
Malayalam · Crime, Mystery, Thriller
2h 10m · 3 May 2018
DOP: Pradeep Nair | Writer: Dinesh Pallath
Ratings
Our Rating
1.75
Chanakyathanthram is a Malayalam action thriller revolving around a high-stakes political conspiracy. The story follows the protagonist, played by Unni Mukundan, who gets entangled in a web of deceit and power struggles. As the plot unfolds, the narrative explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and justice, culminating in a tense climax that reveals the true mastermind behind the chaos.
Chanakyathanthram attempts to blend political intrigue with action-packed sequences, but the execution falls short in several areas. The screenplay is uneven, with a sluggish first half that struggles to build momentum and engage the audience effectively. The pacing improves somewhat in the second half, where the stakes are raised and the narrative becomes more gripping.
The story, while promising on paper, suffers from predictability and lacks the depth needed to make the political thriller truly compelling. Character development is minimal, and several plot points feel forced or underexplored. The absence of a memorable soundtrack or impactful songs is noticeable, as the film relies heavily on background score to maintain tension.
The background score by Pradeep Nair offers some moments of intensity but overall does not elevate the film significantly. Cinematography is competent but does not bring any distinctive visual flair to the movie. In summary, Chanakyathanthram is a middling thriller that offers occasional thrills but fails to leave a lasting impression.
Unni Mukundan: Delivers a sincere but limited performance, unable to fully elevate the underwritten protagonist.
Anoop Menon: Provides a steady presence with moments of intensity, adding some gravitas to the political narrative.
Shruti Ramachandran: Offers a restrained performance, though her character lacks substantial impact on the story.
Sshivada Nair: Adequate in a supporting role, but with limited scope to showcase range.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Kannan Thamarakkulam's direction struggles to maintain a consistent tone throughout the film. While he manages to create some suspenseful sequences, the overall narrative lacks cohesion and fails to capitalize on the political thriller potential. The writing is weak, with insufficient character depth and a formulaic storyline.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 20% |
| Neutral | 50% |
| Negative | 30% |
Critics generally found Chanakyathanthram to be an average political thriller with a weak screenplay and uneven pacing. Performances were seen as adequate but not standout, and the film was noted for lacking a strong musical identity. The film's potential was acknowledged, but execution was deemed disappointing.
Final Box-Office Result
Chanakyathanthram released on 3 May 2018 (2018).
Chanakyathanthram is declared a DISASTER at the box office.
Chanakyathanthram OTT release date not announced yet.
Chanakyathanthram directed by Kannan Thamarakkulam. Produced by Muhammed Faizal.
Chanakyathanthram stars Unni Mukundan, Anoop Menon, Shruti Ramachandran, Sshivada Nair, Hareesh Perumanna.
Tollybo rates Chanakyathanthram 1.75/5. Verdict: DISASTER.
Chanakyathanthram — Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Runtime: 130 minutes, Language: Malayalam.
