Khalifa, the eagerly awaited Malayalam action thriller from Prithviraj Sukumaran, officially received the censor approval and U/A 16+ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film will be released globally on August 20, 2026, during the Onam festival season in India.
Directed by Vysakh and written by Jinu V. Abraham, Prithviraj plays Aamir Ali, a man with a huge gold smuggling fortune. The film is being marketed as a stylish, large-scale revenge action thriller.
Prithviraj Plays Aamir Ali
Aamir Ali, played by Prithviraj, is the grandson of Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, played by Mohanlal in a big cameo. It’s about the family’s criminal history, and Aamir’s road through gold smuggling, power and revenge.
The film’s promotional material has already attracted attention for its rugged visuals, action sequences and international backdrop.
Mohanlal's Special Appearance
One of the biggest attractions is Mohanlal as Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, Aamir's grandfather.
The makers have said Mohanlal's character is well connected to the bigger story, and it was indicated that a future instalment might have more to tell of Ahmed Ali's backstory.
Big-Scale Gold Smuggling Thriller
Khalifa has an international gold-smuggling network connecting Kerala with other international locations. The film was shot across London, Dubai, Nepal and Kerala and is a global action thriller.
In the technical team is Jomon T. John as cinematographer, Chaman Chacko as editor and Jakes Bejoy as composer. The film also stars Malvika Sharma, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Indrans, Shammi Thilakan, Mohini and Shivajith, among others.
What does the U/A 16+ Certificate mean?
The U/A 16+ certification enables audiences aged 16 and above to watch the film without adult-only restrictions. The certification will also complement the film’s action-heavy and revenge-driven subject matter.
On social media, Prithviraj himself confirmed the certification and release date, and announced that Khalifa will reach theatres worldwide on August 20.
Onam 2026 Box Office Battle
Khalifa is expected to be one of the major Malayalam releases of the Onam 2026 season. The film’s combination of Prithviraj, Vysakh, Mohanlal’s cameo, international locations and a gold-smuggling storyline has generated considerable pre-release interest.
Now that the censor has been approved and the film is almost ready to go out to cinemas, at least in the final stage of the film’s development, it has been a major step in the theatrical process.
Release Date: August 20, 2026. Certification: U/A 16+. Director: Vysakh. Writer: Jinu V. Abraham. Lead: Prithviraj Sukumaran. Special Appearance: Mohanlal. Music: Jakes Bejoy. Genre: Action Thriller.
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