Prithviraj Sukumaran’s latest Malayalam action thriller Khalifa hit theatres on August 20, 2026, as one of the major Onam releases. The film, directed by Vysakh, arrived with significant buzz around its gold smuggling storyline, stylish lead actor, and a much-hyped cameo from Mohanlal. But within hours of the first shows, social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), flooded with reactions. While some viewers praised Prithviraj’s screen presence and a few action blocks, many expressed disappointment, calling the film a “colossal disappointment”.
The audience response has been largely mixed to negative. The common complaints point to a predictable story, weak writing, lack of emotional connection, and underwhelming cameos. Some fans, however, found entertainment in the mass moments and the climax. Here is a detailed look at what viewers are saying about Khalifa.
Fans Call Khalifa a ‘Colossal Disappointment’ on Social Media
Soon after the first-day-first-show screenings, moviegoers took to X to share their honest opinions. A significant portion of the reactions labelled the film as a letdown. One user wrote, “A cliched story without emotional connect to any characters.. took its initial 40 mins to get into the story.. interval block stretch was good but other than that nothing much interesting,” adding, “Overall a disappointing movie!!”.
Another fan expressed strong displeasure, saying, “Wondering what’s worse..the story, the script or the direction. And that villain? Absolute crap!! 1.5/5.” The criticism extended to the film’s technical aspects as well. A viewer commented, “zero emotional connection, ok to good fight choreography, cameos are the only impactful portion ,but the make up was a let down. even jakes bejoy was so mid tbh. a colossal disappointment”.
Several users described the film as “below average.” One post read, “#Khalifa Strictly a Below Average Padam!! Only positive for me is Rajuvettan’s stylish look. The predictable story and impactless fight sequences are the biggest villains of the movie. On top of that, Jakes Bejoy’s background score feels underwhelming”.
Prithviraj’s Screen Presence and Style Get Thumbs Up
Despite the heavy criticism, one aspect that nearly everyone agreed on was Prithviraj Sukumaran’s performance and stylish appearance. Viewers repeatedly mentioned that the actor’s screen presence and well-toned physique were among the few positives of the film.
A user wrote, “Prithviraj’s Well toned Physique, Stylish Look along with Jakes Bejoy’s Elevating BGM & 2 Action Blocks Gud.” Another fan stated, “Stylish Prithviraj & Jakes Bejoy’s BGM r only positives so far. Highly Predictable Narration.” The actor’s introduction scene and certain action stretches were also highlighted as watchable moments.
Predictable Story and Weak Writing Draw Strong Criticism
The most repeated criticism across social media was directed at the film’s script and narration. Viewers found the gold smuggling revenge drama outdated and lacking originality. One user remarked, “#Khalifa felt flat with a template like old script with stylish Prithvi. No emotional connection at all.”
The lack of emotional depth was a major talking point. A viewer expressed, “The film looks massive but struggles where it matters most. Prithvi brings the fire with his screen presence, while Jakes Bejoy’s BGM elevates several moments, though it is not consistent throughout. However the screenplay never matches the film’s scale. The emotional moments feel undercooked.”
Another user pointed to a broader issue in Malayalam cinema, saying, “The hardest reality is that we have an exceptionally talented pool of filmmakers and technicians, but we seem to lack writers who can truly pull off a mass, commercial action film with a solid script.” The general consensus among the initial audience is that the film is an average fare at best and has failed to live up to expectations.
Mohanlal Cameo and Animal Connection Divide Fans
Mohanlal’s special appearance in Khalifa was one of the most anticipated elements. While some fans were thrilled by his cameo, others felt it was unnecessary and used as a gimmick. One impressed viewer wrote, “Last 15 minutes – Absolute Riot. Ahmed Ali hype was worth every penny.” Another said, “When L appeared, the theatre literally shook.”
However, not everyone was happy. A user commented, “Someone please tell these guys to stop with these s**tty cameos. It was an okayish action movie until the cameo, and both cameos were totally unnecessary.” Another viewer noted, “A star cameo alone cannot turn a bad movie into a good one.”
Interestingly, some fans pointed out a connection between the film’s climax and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor. One user mentioned, “The tailend resembles Animal, IYKYK. Overall, an OKAY mass padam.” This comparison added to the mixed reactions, with some enjoying the reference and others finding it unoriginal.
Jakes Bejoy’s Background Score Receives Mixed Response
Music composer Jakes Bejoy’s background score was another point of contention. While some viewers praised it for elevating certain mass moments, others found it underwhelming. One user stated, “Jakes Bejoy’s background score feels underwhelming”. Another commented, “Jakes was also not up to the mark.”
On the other hand, some fans appreciated the music, calling it one of the film’s stronger points. A viewer wrote, “Prithviraj action sequences and Jakes Bejoy’s music are the highlights, with some good mass moments.”
About the Film: Khalifa’s Story and Cast
Khalifa is an action crime thriller directed by Vysakh and written by Jinu V Abraham. The film follows Mambarakal Aamir Ali, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran, a man who gets dragged into the dangerous world of international gold smuggling. The story involves revenge, family legacy, and the struggle for control of a criminal empire.
The film features a strong cast including Mohanlal, Neil Nitin Mukesh (making his Malayalam debut), Malvika Sharma, Indrans, Sanju Sivaram, Shammi Thilakan, and Renji Panicker. Khalifa is planned as a two-part series, with the first chapter titled Khalifa: The Intro and the second titled Khalifa: His Reign. The film has a runtime of around 159 minutes and was certified UA 16+ by the CBFC.
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Mixed Reactions and Box Office Outlook
The social media reactions to Khalifa have been largely mixed, with the audience uniting on very few points. While Prithviraj’s performance and the technical aspects received some praise, the predictable story and lack of emotional connect were widely criticised. Some viewers called it an average one-time watch, while others were completely disappointed.
The film released during the Onam season, facing high expectations. However, the early word-of-mouth on social media suggests that it may struggle to sustain strong box office numbers. The makers are reportedly planning a prequel featuring Mohanlal’s character in a full-length role. For now, Khalifa remains a talking point for its style, cameos, and the debate over its content.
Also Read: Prithviraj Sukumaran Names His Favorite Ranveer Singh Performance, Skips Dhurandhar
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