Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
There is a curious pressure hanging over Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Khalifa: The Ruler as it is set for a grand release in theatres on August 20, just days ahead of Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala. Prithviraj has been here before – with the big film, the big expectations and the promise that this could be the one that brings everything together.
advertisement
Only this time, the Onam release comes with another layer of scrutiny. We’ll get to the scrutiny part later.
Across the aisle is Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju’s Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, giving the festival a two-star showdown that is as much about where these actors stand today as it is about which film wins the opening weekend. Prithviraj needs a clean win with Khalifa
For him, the question isn’t whether he can open a film. He can. Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil and L2: Empuraan proved that his star power remains intact, even as both films divided opinion. What has been harder to find is that elusive combination of box-office strength and widespread critical love.
Aadujeevitham was the last time he had both firmly on his side. Since then, Vilayath Buddha stumbled, his Pallichattambi cameo became a source of trolling, and I, Nobody – despite being pushed with considerable hype – ended its run at a disappointing Rs 15.37 crore, according to trade website Sacnilk.
So perhaps Khalifa isn’t carrying the burden of a comeback. It is carrying something more interesting: the expectation that Prithviraj finally has to get the equation right again.
Vysakh’s action-crime thriller gives him a larger-than-life character in Aamir Ali, an exiled gold-smuggling kingpin who returns to Kerala after his grandfather’s death. What follows is a story of vengeance, inheritance and violence that seems tailor-made for the big screen.
And that is why the Onam clash matters. Prithviraj doesn’t merely need Khalifa to open well. He needs audiences to walk out feeling that they got the Prithviraj film they came for.
Nivin Pauly has a different battle to fight
Nivin Pauly’s recent trajectory has been more uneven, although he did have a strong finish to 2025 with Sarvam Maya. The film crossed Rs 151 crore worldwide and appeared to signal a much-needed turnaround for the actor after several underwhelming years. But the momentum didn’t last long.
His next two releases, Baby Girl and Prathichaya, failed to make an impact at the box office. According to Sacnilk, the films earned just Rs 4.61 crore and Rs 8.59 crore, respectively, in their lifetime.
Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, therefore, arrives with its own set of expectations. For Nivin, the film needs to prove that Sarvam Maya wasn’t simply a one-off success, but part of a larger comeback. And unlike Khalifa, the film isn’t selling itself on scale or action.
Khalifa leads the advance race. If advance bookings are anything to go by, Khalifa has already established an early lead.
According to Track Tollywood, Khalifa: The Ruler has recorded Rs 2.33 crore in pre-sales across 2,019 shows in 499 theatres. The film has sold around 1,26,198 tickets, with occupancy currently at 22.8 per cent. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, meanwhile, has recorded Rs 73.55 lakh from 1,073 shows across 241 theatres. Its occupancy stands at around 14 per cent, with approximately 39,653 tickets sold so far.
On paper, the difference is significant. But advance bookings only tell us how much interest a film has generated before release. They don’t necessarily tell us which film will have the stronger word of mouth once audiences actually watch them.
And that is where this Onam clash gets interesting.
Two films, two very different audiences
At first glance, Khalifa and Bethlehem Kudumba Unit may look like two films fighting for the same Onam audience. But they are actually offering two very different theatrical experiences.
Khalifa is all about scale. Directed by Vysakh and written by Jinu V Abraham, the film promises action, crime, gold smuggling and a larger-than-life protagonist played by Prithviraj. It is the kind of film designed for audiences looking for a star-driven spectacle during the festive season.
Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, on the other hand, sits at the opposite end of the spectrum. Girish AD’s film is a more intimate story centred on relationships and a couple navigating a significant age gap. With Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju in the lead, it appears to be targeting audiences looking for something lighter, warmer and more rooted in everyday life.
And that difference could actually work in their favour.
The interesting thing about this year’s Onam clash is that Khalifa and Bethlehem Kudumba Unit don’t necessarily have to cannibalise each other.
One offers a star-powered action spectacle. The other offers a more intimate, family-friendly outing. One is built around Prithviraj’s larger-than-life presence; the other leans into Girish AD’s strength in creating relatable characters and relationships.
Of course, the box office will eventually decide which film wins the numbers game. But perhaps the bigger win is that Malayalam cinema has managed to offer its audience two distinctly different choices for the festival.
A gangster war for those craving scale, and a family story for those looking for warmth. This Onam, the real winner may not be Prithviraj or Nivin — but the audience getting to choose.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
