The nostalgia of the 90s is a powerful drug, and debutant director Adhvaith Nayar’s Chatha Pacha tries to bottle that energy for the “WWE trump card” generation. Centered in the world of local professional wrestling in Kochi, the film is a vibrant, neon-soaked tribute to the power of the “squared circle.” However, while it lands its physical stunts with grace, its narrative foundation feels a bit like a wobbly ring post.
The Plot
The story follows Little (Ishan Shoukath), who returns to Kochi after years of estrangement to reunite with his brothers, Savio (Arjun Ashokan) and the incarcerated Vetri (Roshan Mathew). Little proposes a wild dream; starting a WWE-style wrestling franchise called “Power House” to escape their lower-income struggles. Following their father-figure “Bullet” Walter’s mantra, “Chatha Pacha” (Do or Die), they launch the club. But between a brewing secret involving Vetri’s daughter, Rose, and a flamboyant rival named Cherian (Vishak Nair), the brothers find that the real-life drama is far more dangerous than the scripted fights in the ring.
Acting
The performances are a mixed bag, largely due to how the characters are written.Arjun Ashokan stands out and he make us feels natural, particularly in his mastery of the Kochi dialect, and brings a sincere “boy-next-door” warmth to Savio.Roshan Mathew brings an intense physicality and a piercing gaze to Vetri. However, the script paints Vetri as a “wind-up toy” who reacts blindly to others’ whims, which limits Roshan’s emotional range. Vishak Nair’s antagonist is a bit over-the-top, occasionally feeling forced. However, the “local wrestlers”—like the food delivery agent Nitro Kili and the heart-stealing Kadalkomban (Dartagnan Sabu) — add authentic flavor to the world. A highly anticipated appearance by Mammootty as “Bullet” Walter unfortunately misses the mark. Despite his natural aura, the clunky dialogue and caricatured styling make it a rare “miss” in the megastar’s recent run.
Direction and Screenplay
The Script’s Weak Link: Adhvaith Nayar shows flashes of brilliance in how he stages the wrestling sequences, but he is let down by Sanoop Thykoodam’s screenplay. The “show, don’t tell” rule is often ignored, replaced by weak dialogue and forced Kochi slang. The film struggles to find a solid emotional hook; unlike other brother-centric hits like RDX, the bond here feels more stated than shown. The first half is a slow burn that might test your patience, though the drama pays off once the “real-life” conflicts bleed into the arena matches.
The Real MVP: Technically, Chatha Pacha is a knockout. Anend C Chandran captures the wrestling matches with “turbocharged” energy. The use of canted angles and vibrant lighting during the interval block is masterful. Kalai Kingson deserves praise. The signature moves—from Chokeslams to 619s—are executed with a rhythm that feels both professional and gritty.
Music
The auditory experience is a highlight. Mujeeb Majeed’s background score is electrifying, perfectly syncing with the adrenaline of the fights. Interestingly, the legendary Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio makes their Malayalam debut here, fails providing a musical backbone that elevates the film’s “big-screen” feel except for the track ” Chatha Pacha”.
Overall
Chatha Pacha is like a wrestling match that starts with a few clumsy moves but finishes with a spectacular high-flying maneuver. It fails to script a compelling human drama, but it succeeds in capturing the “sports entertainment” vibe of Kochi. If you can overlook the shaky writing and a disappointing cameo, the sheer energy of the matches makes it a rewarding watch for the 90s kid in you.