Rspalmora at 17:57, 4 May 2026

2026-05-04T17:57:24Z

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{{short description|2023 Indian film by B. Unnikrishnan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Christopher
| image = Christopher.jpeg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[B. Unnikrishnan]]
| producer = B. Unnikrishnan
| writer = [[Udaykrishna]]
| starring = [[Mammootty]]<br/>[[Vinay Rai]]
| music = [[Justin Varghese]]
| editing = [[Manoj (film editor)|Manoj]]
| cinematography = Faiz Siddik
| studio = [[RD Illuminations]]
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2023|2|9}}
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
| runtime = 150 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2023 |title=Mammootty starrer 'Christopher' gets a release date! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mammootty-starrer-christopher-gets-a-release-date/articleshow/97514707.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203172355/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mammootty-starrer-christopher-gets-a-release-date/articleshow/97514707.cms |archive-date=3 February 2023 |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
| budget = {{INR|18.7 crore}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 February 2023 |title='Christopher' box office collection day 1: Mammootty's investigative thriller mints Rs 1.67 crores |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/box-office/christopher-box-office-collection-day-1-mammoottys-investigative-thriller-mints-rs-1-67-crores/articleshow/97797534.cms#scso=_mojoY-zqJ_qXseMPmpGcuAs_21:108.36363983154297 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212080503/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/box-office/christopher-box-office-collection-day-1-mammoottys-investigative-thriller-mints-rs-1-67-crores/articleshow/97797534.cms#scso=_mojoY-zqJ_qXseMPmpGcuAs_21:108.36363983154297 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
| gross = {{INR|38.5 crore}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 February 2023 |title=Christopher Movie: ക്രിസ്റ്റഫർ കളക്ഷൻ റിപ്പോർട്ട് പുറത്ത്; കേരളത്തിൽ നേടിയത് ഇത്രയും |trans-title=Christopher Movie: Christopher Collection Report Out; Kerala has achieved this much |url=https://zeenews-india-com.translate.goog/malayalam/movies/christopher-movie-first-day-box-office-original-collection-report-126339/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=Zee Malayalam News}}</ref>
}}

'''''Christopher''''' is a 2023 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[vigilante film|vigilante]] [[action thriller film]] directed and produced by [[B. Unnikrishnan]] and written by [[Udaykrishna]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mammootty to headline B Unnikrishnan-Udayakrishna's film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mammootty-to-headline-b-unnikrishnan-udayakrishnas-film/articleshow/92784647.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818051434/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mammootty-to-headline-b-unnikrishnan-udayakrishnas-film/articleshow/92784647.cms |archive-date=18 August 2022 |access-date=2022-08-18 |work=Times of India}}</ref><ref name="IE">{{Cite web |date=18 August 2022 |title=Mammootty's thriller with B Unnikrishnan gets title |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2022/aug/18/mammoottys-thriller-with-b-unnikrishnan-gets-title-2488531.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831024917/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2022/aug/18/mammoottys-thriller-with-b-unnikrishnan-gets-title-2488531.html |archive-date=31 August 2022 |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> It stars [[Mammootty]], in the titular role, along with an [[ensemble cast]] of [[Vinay Rai]], [[Amala Paul]], [[Aishwarya Lekshmi]], [[Sneha (actress)|Sneha]], [[Aditi Ravi]], [[Shine Tom Chacko]], [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]], [[Dileesh Pothan]], [[Deepak Parambol]] and [[Jinu Joseph]]. The film marks the debut of [[Vinay Rai]] in [[Malayalam cinema]]. The film revolves around the life journey of [[Additional Director General of Police|ADGP]] Christopher Antony, who uses [[vigilantism]] and [[encounter killings|police encounters]] to safeguard the civilians.

[[Principal photography]] began on 10 July 2022 and finished on 29 September 2022. The soundtrack and score was composed by [[Justin Varghese]], while Faiz Siddik and [[Manoj (film editor)|Manoj]] handled the cinematography and editing respectively.

''Christopher'' was released in theatres on 9 February 2023 to mixed reviews from critics and became a moderate success at the box-office.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 February 2023 |title=Christopher Movie: ക്രിസ്റ്റഫർ കളക്ഷൻ റിപ്പോർട്ട് പുറത്ത്; കേരളത്തിൽ നേടിയത് ഇത്രയും |trans-title=Christopher Movie: Christopher Collection Report Out; Kerala has achieved this much |url=https://zeenews-india-com.translate.goog/malayalam/movies/christopher-movie-first-day-box-office-original-collection-report-126339/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=Zee Malayalam News}}</ref>

== Plot ==
{{Cleanup section |date=March 2024 |reason=Per [[MOS:FILMPLOT]]: Plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 and 700 words. This plot is over 1,100 words long.}}

During a [[Communal violence|communal riot]] in [[Kerala]], a young Christopher witnesses the brutal rape and murder of his sister and parents. He attempts to kill the perpetrators with a [[Butcher knife|butcher’s knife]] but is intercepted by SP Vetrivel. After learning of the tragedy, Vetrivel executes the culprits in an extrajudicial encounter, inspiring Christopher to join the police force. Under Vetrivel’s mentorship, Christopher clears the civil service exam and is posted as an ASP in Madhya Pradesh. There, he gains notoriety as an encounter specialist after dismantling a feudal network responsible for killing women. Assisted by his right-hand man, SI Mohammed Ismail, Christopher eventually returns to Kerala as an [[Superintendent of police (India)|SP]].

Following a successful mission against a robbery-murder syndicate in a forested area, Ismail is killed. Christopher adopts Ismail's daughter, Amina, and later marries Beena, the Pondicherry DC. Their domestic life unravels when Christopher discovers that Beena’s drug-addict brother, Sebastian, has brutally murdered a girl and hidden her remains in a ceramic factory. Though Beena and her father, [[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]] Chackochan, attempt to cover up the crime with the help of SP Abhilash, Christopher arrests Sebastian. When Sebastian attempts to escape custody during a [[Hearing (law)|court hearing]], Christopher kills him, leading to his separation from Beena.

Years later, Christopher is an ADGP working under CM Rajashekhara Menon. After he executes four men for a brutal assault, ACP Sulekha is tasked with investigating his past encounter killings. Simultaneously, Amina, now a lawyer, uncovers evidence that business magnate Sitaram Trimurthi murdered his wife and father-in-law to hide a [[Illegal drug trade|drug trafficking ring]]. Sitaram retaliates by having Amina murdered. Devastated, Christopher launches an unofficial investigation, discovering that Sitaram has compromised the official police team through the sociopathic DYSP George Kottarakkan.

Christopher tracks down the hitman, Marimuthu, and forces a confession that implicates Sitaram. Despite Sulekha’s initial skepticism, she eventually supports Christopher after realizing the legal system's failure to provide swift justice. Christopher executes Marimuthu and Kottarakkan, but Sitaram manages to murder Beena via carbon monoxide poisoning from his prison cell. With the covert assistance of Warden SP Shaji (Ismail’s brother), Christopher enters the prison and kills Sitaram, framing the act as self-defense. Cleared of all charges and backed by the Chief Minister, Christopher adopts a young victim’s sister, naming her Amina, and resumes his duty.

== Cast ==
{{castlist|
*[[Mammootty]] as [[Additional Director General of Police|ADGP]] Christopher Antony [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]/ Christy, Chief of DPCAW, later Headquarters [[Additional Director General of Police|ADGP]]
*[[Vinay Rai]] as Sitaram Trimurthi, owner of ''Saukya group'' of [[Herbal products]] and the main antagonist
*[[R. Sarathkumar]] as [[Superintendent of Police|SP]] Vetrivel [[Indian Police Service|IPS]], later [[Director general of police|DGP]], Christopher's mentor
*[[Sneha (actress)|Sneha]] as [[Home Secretary]] Beena Mariam Chacko [[Indian Administrative Service#Indian Frontier Administrative Service|IAS]], Christopher's ex-wife but later reconciles with him
*[[Amala Paul]] as [[Assistant Commissioner of Police|ACP]] Sulekha [[Indian Police Service|IPS]], Christopher's subordinate
*[[Aishwarya Lekshmi]] as [[Advocate|Adv.]] Amina Ismail, Christopher's adopted daughter and an investigative lawyer and social activist
*[[Aditi Ravi]] as Ashwini Trimurthi, Sitaram's wife
*[[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]] as [[Chief Minister of Kerala|Chief Minister]] Rajashekharan Menon
*[[Dileesh Pothan]] as [[Additional Director General of Police|ADGP]] Abhilash Balakrishnan [[Indian Police Service|IPS]], Christopher and Beena's friend
*[[Shine Tom Chacko]] as [[Deputy Superintendent of Police#Kerala|DYSP]] George Kottarakkan, a corrupt and sociopathic cop who is Trimurthi's partner and second antagonist
*[[Deepak Parambol]] as [[Sub Inspector|SI]] Mohammed Ismail, Christopher's trusted ally and Amina's late father
*Dileep K. Menon as Shaji, prison superintendent, Mohammed Ismail's elder brother & Amina's cousin
*[[Nebish Benson]] as Jeby, Seena's brother
*[[Vinitha Koshy]] as Seena, Jeby's sister
*[[Jinu Joseph]] as Brother "Pathalam" Suresh, Kottarakkan's friend
*Vijaykumar Prabhakaran as [[Circle Inspector|CI]] Mathews
*Benzi Mathews as North [[Additional Director General of Police|ADGP]] Gaurishankar [[Indian Police Service|IPS]], Christopher's best friend and batchmate
*Mathew Varghese as [[Director General of Police|DGP]] Varghese Mathew [[Indian Police Service|IPS]], State Police Chief
*Ajit Koshy as [[Additional Director General of Police|ADGP]] Askar Ali [[Indian Police Service|IPS]], Trimurthi's friend
*Vasanthi as [[Circle Inspector|CI]] Vadivukkarasi, Later [[Superintendent of Police|SP]]
*K.V Manjulan as Doctor Sajan
*[[Rajesh Sharma (Malayalam actor)|Rajesh Sharma]] as Harikumar, prison superintendent (retd)
*[[Manohari Joy]] as Agnes
*Keerthana Sreekumar as Annie
*Bilas Chandrahasan as Doctor
*[[Remya Suresh]] as Annie's mother
*[[Shaheen Siddique]] as Sebastian Chacko, Beena's younger brother
*Amal Rajdev as [[Member of Parliament|MP]] Chacko (Chackochan), Beena's and Sebastian's father
*[[Sohan Seenulal]] as a councillor
*Kalesh Ramanand as Sudeep Rajan
*Nitin Thomas<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 October 2022 |title=Nitin Thomas learns from an interaction with Mammootty |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/nitin-thomas-learns-from-an-interaction-with-mammootty/articleshow/95081373.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025125026/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/nitin-thomas-learns-from-an-interaction-with-mammootty/articleshow/95081373.cms |archive-date=25 October 2022 |access-date=25 October 2022 |website=Times of India}}</ref>
}}

== Production ==
[[Principal photography]] began on 10 July 2022 with a pooja function. On 18 July 2022, Mammootty joined the sets of the film.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mammootty joins B Unnikrishnan's film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mammootty-joins-b-unnikrishnans-film/articleshow/92974258.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218060349/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mammootty-joins-b-unnikrishnans-film/articleshow/92974258.cms |archive-date=18 February 2023 |access-date=2022-08-31 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The film is shot in many places across [[Kerala]] including [[Ernakulam]], [[Pooyamkutty]] and [[Vandiperiyar]]. Vinay Rai was cast in to play the antagonist in the film, marking his debut in Malayalam cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 August 2022 |title=Mammootty and B. Unnikrishnan's upcoming thriller film titled Christopher; first poster out |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/south-cinema/mammootty-b-unnikrishnans-upcoming-thriller-film-titled-christopher-first-poster/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818051329/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/south-cinema/mammootty-b-unnikrishnans-upcoming-thriller-film-titled-christopher-first-poster/ |archive-date=18 August 2022 |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref><ref name="IE" /> Filming took 79 days and was completed on 29 September 2022. Mammootty had finished shooting his portions, in a span of 65 days, a week before filming ended.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=30 September 2022 |title=It's a wrap for Mammootty-B Unnikishnan's film 'Christopher' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/its-a-wrap-for-mammootty-b-unnikishnans-film-christopher/articleshow/94539253.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014044215/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/its-a-wrap-for-mammootty-b-unnikishnans-film-christopher/articleshow/94539253.cms |archive-date=14 October 2022 |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> In [[post-production]] stage, the film was sent to the [[Central Board of Film Certification]] and was censored with a [[U/A certificate]] on 31 January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2023 |title=Mammootty's Christopher cleared with UA certificate, to hit screens on Feb 9 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mammoottys-christopher-cleared-with-ua-certificate-to-hit-screens-on-feb-9-2329125-2023-02-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206150656/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/mammoottys-christopher-cleared-with-ua-certificate-to-hit-screens-on-feb-9-2329125-2023-02-01 |archive-date=6 February 2023 |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref>

== Release ==
''Christopher'' was released in theatres on 9 February 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2023 |title=Mammootty's Christopher gets a release date |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mammootty-christopher-gets-release-date-feb-9-8418427/lite/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206145549/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mammootty-christopher-gets-release-date-feb-9-8418427/lite/ |archive-date=6 February 2023 |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

== Reception ==
''Christopher'' received mixed reviews from critics.
=== Critical response ===
Gopika I. S. of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 3/5 stars and wrote "''Christopher'' was expected to pack a punch, but falls flat. That said, it's a watchable movie with some redeeming elements."<ref>{{Cite news |last=IS |first=Gopika |date=February 9, 2023 |title=Christopher Movie Review: Typical cop movie showcasing a stylish protagonist |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/christopher/movie-review/97776991.cms |access-date=9 March 2023 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}{{rating|3|5}}</ref>

Arjun Ramachandran of ''The South First'' gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Christopher is a visual feast for the masses who get to watch Mammootty in a stylish avatar. Delivered with a socially-relevant theme, it serves as a good comeback for Udaykrishna and B Unnikrishnan."<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 February 2023 |title=Christopher review: A stylish Mammootty and a socially relevant theme make this cop story a good watch |url=https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/christopher-malayalam-movie-review/ |website=The South First}} {{rating|3|5}}</ref>

Sanjith Sridharan of ''[[OTTplay]]'' gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Mammootty's Christopher starts off as an edgy, stylish film with great visuals and music, but in the second half, it loses its momentum. That said, the film might just have enough going for it to continue Mammootty's streak at the box office."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christopher review: Mammootty's stylish vigilante actioner is uneven, but is still among B Unnikrishnan's best works |url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/christopher-review-mammoottys-stylish-vigilante-film-is-uneven-but-still-among-b-unnikrishnans-best-works/b4551ae815328 |website=OTTplay}} {{rating|3|5}}</ref>

Gayathri Gokul of ''[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]'' gave 3/5 stars and wrote "The movie might work fine as an entertainer for fans, but the storyline could have been developed better."<ref>{{Cite web |title='Christopher' review: Mammootty stands out in a stylish thriller that lacks depth |url=https://www.theweek.in/review/movies/2023/02/09/christopher-review-mammootty-stands-out-in-a-stylish-thriller-that-lacks-depth.html |website=The Week}} {{rating|3|5}}</ref>

Latha Srinivasan of ''[[India Today]]'' gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "The story just unfolds itself pretty much in the first half an hour and becomes very predictable. Had the script been better and the movie's run time shorter, Christopher would have been far more entertaining."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Latha |date=February 9, 2023 |title=Christopher Movie Review: Mammootty's cop vigilante film is old wine in a broken bottle |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/christopher-movie-review-mammoottys-cop-vigilante-film-is-old-wine-in-a-broken-bottle-2332695-2023-02-09 |access-date=16 March 2023 |work=[[India Today]] |language=en}}{{rating|2.5|5}}</ref>

Anandu Suresh of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Christopher gives the impression that in a 'flawed' system, extrajudicial executions are the only right thing. Even with its running time of close to two-and-a-half hours, the film's climax got over in the blink of an eye, leaving the viewers wondering what just happened."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Suresh |first=Anandu |date=9 February 2023 |title=Christopher movie review: Unnikrishnan and Udaykrishna take a step forward as Mammootty takes two steps back |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/christopher-movie-review-mammootty-b-unnikrishnan-8434660/ |work=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}{{rating|2|5}}</ref>

Princy Alexander of ''[[Onmanorama]]'' wrote "Unnikrishnan and Udayakrishna's previous work ''[[Aaraattu (2022 film)|Aaraattu]]'', which featured Mohanlal in the lead, had not really gone down well with the audience, but this time, they have managed to pull off a pretty decent entertainer."<ref>{{Cite web |title='Christopher' movie review: Unnikrishnan-Udayakrishna deliver a pretty good thriller |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2023/02/09/b-unnikrishnan-film-christopher-movie-mammootty-aishwarya-lekshmi-amala-paul.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209112627/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2023/02/09/b-unnikrishnan-film-christopher-movie-mammootty-aishwarya-lekshmi-amala-paul.amp.html |archive-date=9 February 2023 |access-date=9 February 2023 |website=Onmanorama}}</ref>

S.R. Praveen for ''[[The Hindu]]'' reviewing the film wrote "What the film lacks in substance, it seeks to make up for in Mammootty's swagger and a loud background score that numbs one with its repetitiveness. Christopher is one long, unfortunate celebration of encounter killings."<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Praveen |first=S. R. |date=9 February 2023 |title='Christopher' movie review: Mammootty's film is a long, poorly-scripted celebration of encounter killings |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/christopher-movie-review-mammoottys-film-is-a-long-poorly-scripted-celebration-of-encounter-killings/article66489485.ece |access-date=16 March 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|id=21819994}}

[[Category:2023 films]]
[[Category:2023 action thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian action thriller films]]
[[Category:2023 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by B. Unnikrishnan]]
[[Category:Films scored by Justin Varghese]]
[[Category:Indian vigilante films]]
[[Category:Indian police films]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Kerala Police]]
[[Category:Films shot in Idukki]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kochi]]

Christopher film - Revision history

Rspalmora at 17:57, 4 May 2026