Chatha Pacha X Review: Netizens Call Arjun Ashokan and Roshan Mathew Film 'A Tribute To Era Of Wrestling'

Chatha Pacha has finally arrived in cinemas, and social media is buzzing with first reactions. The action-comedy features Arjun Ashokan, Roshan Mathew, and Vishak Nair in lead roles and is directed by

newcomer Adhvaith Nayar. The film had already generated considerable hype through its promotional campaign, fuelled by a cameo by megastar Mammootty. Following a special early premiere held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, expectations sharply went hight. Now that the film is out, audiences have begun sharing their immediate impressions online, with opinions largely split between appreciation for its technical strengths and criticism of its story.

Chatha Pacha: Fans Give Verdict Of Arjun Ashokan, Roshan Mathew's Film

Several viewers praised the film’s first half while expressing reservations about the latter portion. “Chatha Pacha is a technical treat that prioritises style over substance; it starts slow but delivers a massive interval bang that makes it worth the watch in a packed theatre second half is just okay, the big-screen energy and high production value carry it through,” a social media user said.Another viewer highlighted the film’s nostalgic appeal, particularly for wrestling fans. “Chatha Pacha arrives as a thunderous tribute to the attitude era of wrestling, staking its claim as India’s first film set against a WWE backdrop. For 90s kids, this film is not just a watch; it is a nostalgic trip down memory lane that delivers ultimate goosebumps.”

One user offered a balanced take, appreciating the filming while pointing out shortcomings. “Watched Chatha Pacha. I enjoyed the film. Music was OK, Cinematography & Direction was good, the screenplay could have been better. All cast performance was good. WWE moves of wrestlers was too good. Mammukka intro. If you are a WWE fan its a good watch in theatre.”

However, not all reviews were favourable. Some netizens felt the film failed to live up to the hype surrounding it. “Beyond being a passable watch, the film doesn’t even come close to Thallumaala. The much hyped cameo had almost no impact. DISAPPOINTED!!” one user wrote. Another viewer spoke about and said he was not fully satisfied, “Most of the WWE references in Chatha Pacha were solid, but the recreation of ‘The American Badass’ was the only disappointing moment in the film.” A user posted “Decent 1st half, weak 2nd. The brothers' conflict and emotions around that are weakly written. Cameo isn't up to the hype. What works is the wrestling portions and good technicalities. Strictly average.”

On the technical front, Chatha Pacha features cinematography by Anend C Chandran, with Jomon T John and Sudeep Elamon serving as additional cameramen. The film marks the Malayalam debut of Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy as music composers, while Mujeeb Majeed has composed the original background score. Editing is handled by Praveen Prabhakar. The supporting cast includes Ishan Shoukath, Lakshmi Menon, Siddique, Rafi, Carmen S Mathew, Minon, Thesni Khan, among others.