The second look poster of ‘Patriot’, which reunites Mammootty and Mohanlal after 13 years, has sparked controversy online. While the film’s release date of April 23, 2026 has fans excited, many have criticized the visual quality of the poster, with accusations of AI generation dominating discussions. Some defended the design, while others lamented the artwork’s perceived lack of star power.
The second poster of the newly released film ‘Patriot’ starring Mammootty and Mohanlal has sparked a huge controversy online. The film marks the reunion of the grande dame of Malayalam cinema after more than 13 years.
The spy thriller is directed by Mahesh Narayanan and is slated for a worldwide release on April 23, 2026.While the update impressed many, a large section expressed disappointment over the visual quality of the poster.
Accusations of artificial intelligence dominate
The poster was widely circulated across platforms and discussions intensified soon after. Many netizens claimed that the poster looked artificial.“The Patriots poster appears to have been generated by AI,” one cinema fan wrote on X.
“Still >>> the poster,” another user added. Many fans commented that they preferred what was released behind the scenes earlier.One viewer wrote: “The scene was amazing.” Another expressed his disappointment, saying, “A film starring #Mohanlal, #Mammootty and #FahadhFasil deserves a poster that matches its star power! #ThePatriot deserves much better!”However, others defended the design. One user noted: “No, this was not generated by AI.
Maybe they could have used AI to make some improvements. These days people tend to call everything they see as artificial intelligence.
Many reactions focused on the lighting and texture of the poster. “These days, I can’t even tell what AI is made of, because AI looks real too,” one user wrote. Another commented: “It’s the horrible lighting and color grading that makes it look like an AI-generated poster.”Some dismissed the entire discussion, with a sharp remark: “So? It’s 2026.”
Mammootty shares the poster while confirming the release
Leading man Mammootty shared the second look poster on his official social media platforms. His caption read: “Patriot Second Look Poster. In cinemas worldwide starting April 23, 2026.”The poster shows Mohanlal, Mammootty and Kunchacko Boban posed in a tense, action-driven setting. The film is directed by Mahesh Narayanan and stars the Big M’s team after a long gap.
