Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Onam release Khalifa hit theatres on August 20, and if there was one film Malayalam audiences were watching closely this festival season, it was this one. Directed by Vysakh, who reunites with Prithviraj after years apart, the film had everything going for it on paper — a gold-smuggling crime saga, a starry cast, and a much-hyped cameo from Mohanlal. But according to most reviews rolling in, Khalifa turns out to be a film that looks the part without quite earning the emotional weight its premise promises, a trend worth watching for anyone tracking entertainment releases this Onam season.
What Khalifa Is About
The film follows Mambarakal Aamir Ali, played by Prithviraj, a man drawn deeper and deeper into his family’s long-running gold-smuggling empire — a legacy inherited from his grandfather, Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, played by Mohanlal, whose past dealings reportedly once caught the attention of the highest levels of government. The story stretches across the Middle East and India, following Aamir Ali as he navigates revenge, heritage, and the burden of carrying forward a criminal legacy he didn’t necessarily choose. It’s the kind of larger-than-life plot that regularly finds its way into our Bhojpuri and regional cinema coverage too, where family legacy and crime sagas remain a dependable box-office draw.
The cast beyond Prithviraj and Mohanlal includes Neil Nitin Mukesh in his Malayalam debut, along with Tovino Thomas, Krithi Shetty, Indrans, and Shammi Thilakan, giving the film a genuinely stacked ensemble to work with.
Where the Film Actually Works
Most reviewers agree on one thing: Prithviraj is completely in his element here. His body language, restrained performance, and overall screen presence give Aamir Ali a commanding presence without ever feeling like he’s overdoing it. Multiple critics singled out his introduction scene and a couple of standout fight sequences as genuine highlights, moments where the film’s scale and style come together effectively.
Then there’s the Mohanlal factor. His appearance as Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali is being widely described as one of the film’s most powerful stretches — a moment that injects fresh energy right when the narrative needs it most. Several reviews noted that the final act, in particular, delivers a strong emotional and theatrical payoff, largely riding on that cameo’s impact.
Technically, the film also holds up well. Jomon T. John’s cinematography, Jakes Bejoy’s music, and the action choreography — handled by an international team including Yannick Ben — all contribute to giving Khalifa the polished, big-screen look audiences expect from a Vysakh film, especially after his previous two outings, Monster and Turbo.
Where It Falls Short
The recurring criticism across nearly every review is the same: predictability. The broad trajectory of Aamir Ali’s journey rarely takes the story somewhere genuinely unexpected, and for a gold-smuggling thriller built around themes of revenge and inherited crime, that lack of surprise is being called the film’s single biggest weakness. Several critics pointed out that once the credits roll, there simply aren’t many scenes that linger in memory beyond Prithviraj’s stylish portrayal and the action set-pieces.
Audience reactions on social media have echoed this mixed sentiment too. While some viewers praised the film’s climax and commercial appeal, others were considerably more critical, with one widely shared post describing it as an “emotionless drama” that leans on overdramatic moments, lazy writing, and amateurish performances in places. Another viewer noted that apart from Prithviraj’s introduction and two strong fight sequences, there wasn’t much else that stood out — the kind of split reaction that’s become fairly common in celebrity and film news whenever a big star cameo carries a shaky script.
Why This Release Matters for Prithviraj
There’s a bit of added context that makes Khalifa’s performance particularly significant. Coming off back-to-back underwhelming outings with Vilayath Buddha and I Nobody, this Onam release was seen by many as an important test for Prithviraj’s box office pull ahead of his upcoming pan-Indian project, Varanasi. Early trade reactions suggest the film is drawing decent theatrical footfall on the strength of its star power and festival-season timing, even if critical opinion remains divided on the writing itself. For updates on how the film performs at the box office through the rest of Onam, keep an eye on our ongoing entertainment coverage.
Should You Watch It?
If you’re going in purely for spectacle — Prithviraj’s screen presence, well-staged action, and that much-talked-about Mohanlal moment — Khalifa largely delivers on that front and works reasonably well as a theatrical, festival-season entertainer. But if you’re hoping for a tightly written, surprise-filled crime saga in the vein of the genre’s best, several critics suggest tempering those expectations. It’s the kind of film that’s stylish and engaging in the moment, even if it doesn’t leave a lasting impression once you’re walking out of the hall. For more reviews and updates on this Onam theatrical season, check out our regular lifestyle and entertainment coverage.
