Pazhassi Raja was produced at a cost of ₹20 crore, making it the most expensive film made in Malayalam until that time.

[6] The film received an overwhelming response and it has emerged as one of the top grossers in Kerala's box office history.

[7][8][9] The film starts in 1796, four years after the occupation of Malabar by the East India Company and towards the end of the First Pazhassi Revolt (1793–1797).

The exploitation of the native Indian resources by the company had culminated in popular revolts against its authority across the district.

The tribal force led by Neeli captures Assistant Collector Thomas Hervey Baber and his fiancée Dora in the jungle, in spite of his commander's objection.

He forms useful alliances with many rulers and powerful families in the nearby places like Unni Mootha and his men.

The film ends with the assistant collector Thomas Baber placing the body of the Raja in a litter and his famous words: "He was our enemy.

"[10] M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Hariharan, and Mammootty were working together after two decades; their previous association was Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, which turned out into a landmark film in Malayalam.

[11][12] The sounds in the battle scenes of the film were recreated under Academy Award winner Resul Pookutty as he joined in the project only after its completion.

The Kerala High Court ordered the producers of the film to avail the benefit of entertainment tax concession for viewers of Pazhassi Raja.

The original background score was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, conducted by László Kovács and performed by the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra in Budapest.

[26] Following the setback of the soundtrack album, Ilaiyaraaja stated that he was not satisfied with the lyrics of the poet O. N. V. Kurup, who penned two songs for the film.

Ilaiyaraaja won the National Film Award for Best Background Score[27] Source:[28] All lyrics are written by Vaali; all music is composed by IlaiyaraajaAll lyrics are written by Manoj Santoshi and Manisha Korde; all music is composed by IlaiyaraajaThe film was released on 16 October as a Diwali release with 130 prints in the original Malayalam version and later on 17 November with 150 prints in Tamil.

[29] Later, on 27 September 2013, Goldmines Telefilms launched the trailer of the Hindi dubbed version of the film, at their YouTube channel.

[31] Moser Baer Home Entertainment released the film on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, SuperDVD and VCD in India.

Film was screened in HBO internationally as per the reports of Siju Krishnan, a famous Mammootty fan.

[34] Nowrunning comments that the film is an "exotic chronicle that stuns us with its fascinating tale", and that "this is the stuff that tours de force are made of".

[37] The Hindu said, "the host of people who play English Lords and East India Company chiefs appears theatrical.

Even Linda Arsenio, the English Lady Dora Baber, isn't spontaneous" and "while on editing, certain parts seem to have been trimmed in haste and hence hang without relevance.

"[38] Other critics pointed the sloppy fight scenes and the English accent of Padmapriya who has dubbed for herself in the film.

[44][45] The film ran for 150 days in 5 theatres in Kerala[46] and grossed ₹49 crore in total as revenue and business.