Prithviraj Sukumaran in a larger than life gangster avatar, plus a Mohanlal appearance, is a hard combination for Malayalam cinema fans to ignore. Khalifa hit Prime Video on October 9, 2026, six weeks after its Onam theatrical release, and here at Apne TV we sat down with it as soon as it dropped.
This is the first part of a planned two part story. We at Apne TV think Malayalam movie fans across Canada, especially in Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga, will want the full picture before pressing play. Here is the cast, the story and our honest verdict.
Khalifa Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Khalifa (also listed as Khalifa: The Ruler) |
| Theatrical Release | August 20, 2026 (Onam weekend) |
| OTT Release Date | October 9, 2026 |
| Platform | Prime Video |
| Languages | Malayalam, with Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi versions |
| Canada Availability | Streaming on Prime Video (check your Canadian listing) |
| Director | Vysakh |
| Writer | Jinu V. Abraham |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Thriller |
What Is Khalifa About? Background for New Viewers
Khalifa comes from director Vysakh, known for big, stylish Malayalam action films. Jinu V. Abraham wrote it and co-produced it with Suraj Kumar. It is the first of two parts, and the second will focus on Mohanlal’s character in a full role.
Neil Nitin Mukesh makes his Malayalam debut here. Tovino Thomas and Soubin Shahir also appear in cameos. The film opened as one of the bigger Malayalam openers of 2026 and then settled into a modest run.
Khalifa Full Cast: Who Plays Whom?
| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prithviraj Sukumaran | Mambarakkal Aamir Ali | The lead, a carefree young man from Kozhikode who gets pulled into gold smuggling |
| Mohanlal | Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali (Baba) | Aamir’s grandfather and the legendary figure behind the family’s smuggling empire |
| Neil Nitin Mukesh | Harris Basheer | Key role in the smuggling world (his Malayalam debut) |
| Malvika Sharma | Fiza Ali | Aamir’s wife |
| Renji Panicker | Mambarakkal Younus Ali | Aamir’s father |
| Indrans | Hamsa | Younus’s right-hand man and an ally of Ahmed Ali |
| Shammi Thilakan | Supporting role | Part of the main ensemble |
| Tovino Thomas | Cameo | Special appearance |
| Soubin Shahir | Cameo | Special appearance |
Khalifa Story Explained
Aamir Ali runs a textile shop in Koduvally, Kozhikode, and lives with his parents. He falls in love with Fiza and marries her, and his life looks settled.
Circumstances then pull him into gold smuggling, the trade his grandfather Ahmed Ali, known as Baba, once ruled. Aamir climbs through the smuggling network, and every step puts his family at greater risk.
The film sets up a larger family saga, and Mohanlal’s character drives that saga’s second half. Reviewers say his big moment arrives late in the film.
What Do Critics Say About Khalifa?
| Source | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Eastern Eye | Praises Prithviraj’s style and the Mohanlal moment, but calls the story predictable |
| NowRunning | 2 out of 5. Says style wins over substance, though the technical work is stronger than the story |
| Filmibeat (audience rating) | 2.5 out of 5 |
Our Honest Khalifa Review
Here at Apne TV we watched Khalifa expecting a loud, stylish mass entertainer, and that is what we got.
What works: Prithviraj sells the swagger. Reviewers say his costumes and screen presence carry the film, and NowRunning says he also brings real emotional weight to Aamir Ali. The technical side is polished, with big action set pieces and a glossy look. Mohanlal’s appearance gives the climax a lift that fans will enjoy.
What doesn’t work: Most critics found the story too familiar. Eastern Eye says a promising premise loses steam, and the gold smuggling saga lacks surprise. NowRunning also felt that Mohanlal’s entry satisfies fans but adds little to the story itself. Because this is only part one, parts of the film feel like setup for the sequel.
We at Apne TV would call Khalifa a one time watch for Prithviraj and Mohanlal fans. It works best as a big screen style action night and less as a gripping crime story.
For full technical details and the live user rating, check out the Khalifa IMDb page.
How Did Khalifa Do at the Box Office?
| Figure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Worldwide gross (Sacnilk) | ₹45.05 crore |
| India net | ₹21.58 crore |
| Overseas gross | ₹20.13 crore |
Trackers report slightly different totals, so treat these as approximate.
Where to Watch Khalifa in Canada
Khalifa is streaming on Prime Video, and you can switch audio between Malayalam and the dubbed versions. Open the Prime Video app, search the title and check that it shows as included with your Canadian plan or as a rental. Listings can differ by country, and I could not confirm the Canadian listing myself.
Apne TV recommends the Malayalam audio with subtitles if you can, since the dialogue and music carry much of the film’s flavour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Khalifa available on Prime Video in Canada?
It is streaming on Prime Video from October 9, 2026. Check your Canadian Prime Video listing to confirm whether it is included or a rental.
Who stars in Khalifa?
Prithviraj Sukumaran leads, with Neil Nitin Mukesh, Malvika Sharma, Shammi Thilakan and Indrans. Mohanlal appears in a special role.
What is Khalifa about?
It follows Aamir Ali, a young man from Kozhikode who gets drawn into his family’s gold-smuggling legacy.
Who directed Khalifa?
Vysakh directed it, and Jinu V. Abraham wrote it.
Is Khalifa a two-part film?
Yes. This is part one, and the second part will focus on Mohanlal’s character.
When did Khalifa release in theatres?
August 20, 2026, during the Onam weekend.
What languages is Khalifa available in?
Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.
How did Khalifa perform at the box office?
Sacnilk tracks about ₹45 crore worldwide gross.
Is Khalifa worth watching?
Fans of Prithviraj and Mohanlal will enjoy the style and the star power. Critics found the story predictable.
Final Thoughts
Khalifa delivers swagger and polish but not much surprise. Prithviraj carries it comfortably, and Mohanlal’s appearance gives fans a payoff. We at Apne TV think it is worth one watch, especially if you want to see how the sequel is set up.
If you are in Canada and in the mood for a stylish Malayalam action film this weekend, stream Khalifa on Prime Video. Keep following Apne TV for more honest reviews and OTT updates for Indian entertainment fans across Canada.
If you enjoyed this deep dive into Indian crime drama, check out our Apne TV coverage of Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata watch on ZEE5 Canada, another emotionally powerful true-story drama trending this year.
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