Malayalam cinema is abuzz with the news that Mohanlal will be joining Prithviraj Sukumaran in the upcoming action thriller Khalifa. The film, directed by Vysakh and written by Jinu Abraham, has been confirmed to be released in two parts, with Mohanlal playing a pivotal role as Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, the grandfather of Prithviraj's character, Aamir Ali.
The announcement, confirming recent speculations, was made by the filmmakers on Saturday. Both Mohanlal and Prithviraj shared a motion poster on Instagram, revealing Mohanlal's character name and hinting at the film's narrative structure. The poster's caption read, "Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali! Meet the legend in Part 1. Know his bloody history in Part 2. Khalifa Part 1 - In cinemas Onam 2026. Vengeance will be written in GOLD… But before GOLD… There was BLOOD”.
Khalifa will be released in two parts. The first part, titled Khalifa: The Intro, is slated for release during Onam 2026. Mohanlal will make a cameo appearance in the first part, with Prithviraj in the lead. The second part, titled Khalifa 2: His Reign, will delve deeper into the history and reign of Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, giving Mohanlal's character greater prominence. The film will explore the violent history of the Mambarakkal family and their rise in the underworld.
A poster released with the announcement provides visual cues about the film's tone and themes. It features a bloodstained hand holding a cigar, alongside stacked gold biscuits and a revolver, suggesting an intense and violent storyline. The tagline, "Before gold… there was blood," emphasizes the origins of the Mambarakkal family's power, predating their involvement in gold smuggling.
The previously released teaser for Khalifa introduced Aamir Ali as a notorious gold smuggler who inherited his wealth from his grandfather. The teaser depicts law enforcement agencies tracking gold smuggling routes across various locations, including Kerala, Nepal, the Middle East, and London. Indrans, in his role as Hamsa, warns officials about the dangers Aamir Ali faces if he enters India, referencing the COFEPOSA Act and highlighting the fearsome legacy of both Aamir and Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali.
Khalifa marks the fourth collaboration between Mohanlal and Prithviraj, following Lucifer, Bro Daddy, and L2: Empuraan. The film is produced by Jinu Abraham and Suraj Kumar. The technical crew includes cinematographer Jomon T. John, music director Jakes Bejoy, action choreographer Yannick Ben, and editor Chaman Chakko.
Filming for Khalifa began in early August in London. Besides London, the film is expected to be shot in Dubai, India, and Nepal. The film is touted to be a big-budget production with stunning visuals and high-energy action sequences, aiming to reach a pan-Indian audience.
Mohanlal was recently awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contributions to Indian cinema.
