Last updated: 8 May 2026


History of the Brave
Malayalam · Action, Drama, History
2h 37m · 12 Dec 2019
Music: Ankit Balhara, Sanchit Balhara | DOP: Manoj Pillai | Writer: Sajeev Pillai
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
Set in the 18th century, Mamangam revolves around the historical Mamankam festival held every 12 years on the banks of the Bharathapuzha river in Kerala. The story follows the valiant warrior Chandroth Valiya Panicker (Mammootty) and his son Chandroth Chanthunni (Unni Mukundan), who take on the dangerous mission of assassinating the tyrannical Zamorin ruler during the festival. The narrative explores themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the spirit of resistance against oppression, intertwined with intense action sequences and emotional drama.
Mamangam attempts to bring a grand historical spectacle to the Malayalam film industry with its ambitious scale and period setting. The content is rich with cultural and historical references, though the screenplay struggles with balancing the large ensemble cast and multiple subplots, leading to a somewhat uneven narrative flow. The pacing in the first half is slow, focusing heavily on establishing the backdrop and characters, which may test the patience of some viewers. However, the second half picks up momentum with more intense action sequences and emotional stakes, delivering a more engaging experience.
The songs and music by Ankit Balhara and Sanchit Balhara provide a decent backdrop, though they do not particularly stand out or elevate the narrative significantly. The background score complements the battle scenes effectively, adding to the epic feel of the film. Cinematography by Manoj Pillai captures the grandeur and scale of the festival and battle scenes well, enhancing the visual appeal despite some inconsistencies in CGI and set design.
Overall, Mamangam is a visually ambitious film with a compelling historical premise but is let down by a convoluted screenplay and uneven pacing. It is a commendable effort for its scale and performances but falls short of being a fully satisfying epic.
Mammootty: Strong and commanding presence as Chandroth Valiya Panicker, anchoring the film with gravitas.
Unni Mukundan: Energetic and earnest portrayal of Chandroth Chanthunni, delivering intense action sequences.
Prachi Tehlan: Limited scope but delivers a poised performance.
Meghanathan: Supportive role with solid screen presence.
Anu Sithara: Brief but impactful.
Iniya: Adequate in her role with minimal screen time.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Padmakumar M's direction showcases ambition in recreating a grand historical epic, but the execution falters due to a cluttered screenplay and pacing issues. The writing attempts to cover too many angles, which dilutes the emotional impact and narrative clarity.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 3.00 / 5 | |
| 2.75 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 |
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 40% |
| Negative | 30% |
Critics praised the film's scale, Mammootty's performance, and the visual grandeur, but criticized its screenplay, pacing, and inconsistent technical execution. The film was seen as a noble attempt that did not fully realize its potential.
Final Box-Office Result
Mamangam released on 12 December 2019 (2019).
Mamangam is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
Mamangam is available on Prime Video, YouTube. OTT date will be updated soon.
Mamangam directed by Padmakumar M. Produced by Venu Kunnappilly.
Mamangam stars Mammootty, Prachi Tehlan, Meghanathan, Unni Mukundan, Anu Sithara.
Tollybo rates Mamangam 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Music for Mamangam composed by Ankit Balhara, Sanchit Balhara.
Mamangam — Genre: Action, Drama, History, Runtime: 157 minutes, Language: Malayalam.