Big Brother is a 2020 Malayalam action thriller directed by Siddique and starring Mohanlal in the lead role. The film follows Sachidanandan, a man who is released from prison after serving 24 years and hopes to rebuild his life with his family. However, his troubled past and a dangerous criminal conflict soon force him back into a violent world.
Big Brother (2020) Movie Details
| Movie | Big Brother |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2020 |
| Release Date | 16 January 2020 |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Action, Thriller, Drama |
| Director | Siddique |
| Lead Actor | Mohanlal |
| Runtime | 162 minutes |
| Original Audio | Malayalam |
| Certification | U/A |
| Production Country | India |
Big Brother Story
The story centres on Sachidanandan, who has spent 24 years in prison after receiving a double life sentence. His difficult past began when he was very young, and his imprisonment separated him from a normal family life for decades.
After his release, Sachidanandan wants to adjust to life outside prison and reconnect with his family. His brothers and other loved ones support him, but adapting to a world that has changed considerably during his years behind bars is not easy.
Sachidanandan's peaceful return does not last long. Circumstances involving his family gradually pull him into a dangerous conflict connected to Bengaluru's criminal underworld. His unusual abilities and experience also make him valuable when the situation turns violent.
The film consequently develops from a family-focused drama into an action thriller involving crime, drugs, police investigations and personal revenge.
Big Brother Cast
- Mohanlal as Sachidanandan
- Arbaaz Khan as Vedantham IPS
- Anoop Menon as Dr. Vishnu
- Sarjano Khalid as Manu
- Honey Rose as Dr. Vandhana
- Mirnaa Menon as Arya Shetty
- Vishnu Unnikrishnan as Khani
- Siddique as Shetty
- Gaadha as Gemini
- Irshad as Pareekkar
- Tini Tom as Khan
- Devan as ADGP Prathapachandra Menon
- Janardanan as Vallyammavan
- John Vijay as Govind Raj
- Asif Basra as Muthan
Mohanlal's Performance
Mohanlal is the central attraction of Big Brother. Sachidanandan is written as a physically capable character with a complicated past, and the performance works best when the film allows his character's emotional side to come through.
The contrast between a man attempting to live peacefully after decades in prison and the fighter he becomes when his family is threatened gives the character some emotional weight. Mohanlal's screen presence also helps the larger action sequences carry the scale expected from a mainstream Malayalam action film.
Direction and Screenplay
Siddique builds the movie around a potentially interesting premise: a former prisoner attempting to reintegrate into society while circumstances force him to confront his violent past.
The family element gives the story an emotional foundation, but the screenplay eventually places greater emphasis on commercial action and crime-thriller conventions. As a result, some of the more interesting ideas surrounding Sachidanandan's return to normal life receive less attention than the action-driven portions.
The film's 162-minute runtime is another factor that affects its pacing. The story has several characters and subplots to establish before reaching its major confrontations, which can make the middle portions feel slower than the action-heavy sections.
Action and Thriller Elements
The action sequences are an important part of the film's identity. Sachidanandan's physical abilities become increasingly important as the conflict develops, allowing the movie to transition from family drama into a more conventional action thriller.
The criminal storyline adds tension through its combination of organised crime, drugs and powerful opponents. However, viewers looking for a grounded or highly realistic crime thriller may find the film's approach more conventional and commercial.
Big Brother Review
Big Brother has a promising central character and benefits considerably from Mohanlal's performance. The idea of a man returning to society after 24 years in prison provides an opportunity for a character-driven drama, particularly because Sachidanandan must learn how much the world and his family have changed.
The movie is less effective when it moves away from that personal story and relies more heavily on familiar action-thriller formulas. The large number of characters and extended runtime also affect the overall pacing.
For Mohanlal fans, the film offers a combination of family sentiment, action and a larger-than-life protagonist. For viewers specifically looking for a tightly written crime thriller, the uneven screenplay may be a drawback.
Big Brother Ending Explained
Spoilers ahead.
The final act brings Sachidanandan's personal and criminal conflicts together. After trying to live peacefully following his release, he is ultimately forced to confront the people threatening his family and the wider network behind the conflict.
His past becomes an advantage rather than simply something he wants to escape. The experience and abilities that helped define his life in prison become crucial when he has to protect the people close to him.
The ending therefore completes the film's central character arc by showing Sachidanandan accepting that he cannot simply walk away from his past when the safety of his family is at stake.
Big Brother OTT: Where to Watch Online
As of September 2026, Big Brother is listed as available for streaming in India on Amazon Prime Video, including a Prime Video option with ads, and on JioHotstar with ads. Streaming availability can change depending on region, licensing and subscription arrangements.
The Prime Video listing identifies Malayalam as the original audio language and includes English subtitles. The film is also listed with a runtime of 2 hours and 42 minutes.
Is Big Brother Worth Watching?
Big Brother is primarily aimed at viewers who enjoy commercial Malayalam action movies with family drama, crime and a strong central hero. Its biggest strengths are Mohanlal's screen presence, the underlying family relationship and the action-oriented second half.
The movie's long runtime and conventional screenplay may not appeal to everyone, especially viewers expecting a tightly paced or realistic thriller. However, those looking for a Mohanlal-led action drama with a straightforward commercial approach may find enough to enjoy in Big Brother.