The team behind the upcoming two-part film Khalifa marked Neil Nitin Mukesh’s birthday with a surprise that instantly lit up social media. On Thursday, the makers officially announced that the actor is stepping into Malayalam cinema with the project, which stars Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead. Sharing a character poster of Neil from the film, Prithviraj wished him on his birthday and welcomed him to the Malayalam industry, setting the tone for what is clearly being positioned as a high-profile crossover.
A birthday announcement that crossed industries
Neil, in turn, expressed pride in making his Malayalam debut with Khalifa, thanking the team for the opportunity. While the specifics of his character are being kept under wraps, the actor added a cryptic line to the announcement post, writing “Going for Gold!!!”. The poster features him in a striking golden outfit, and combined with the film’s tagline, “Vengeance will be written in gold,” it hints at a character deeply tied to the world of smuggling that forms the backbone of the story.
As reported earlier, Khalifa is directed by Vysakh from a screenplay by Jinu V Abraham. The project also boasts a major cameo by Mohanlal in its first part. His character, Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, is expected to play a much more substantial role in the second part, which will also feature Prithviraj, setting the stage for a multi-star narrative arc that unfolds across two films.
Gold, vengeance and a reunion of blockbuster names
Khailfa casts Prithviraj as Aamir Ali, a gold smuggler who inherits the family trade from his grandfather and carries the business forward into a far more dangerous terrain. With the gold trade positioned as both livelihood and curse, the film is shaping up as a saga that blends crime, legacy and revenge.
The film also marks a series of reunions that Malayalam cinema watchers will be keenly tracking. It brings Prithviraj back together with Vysakh after their earlier collaboration on Pokkiriraja. For Mohanlal, it is another project with the director after Pulimurugan and Monster. Writer Jinu V Abraham, who is also producing the film along with Suraj Kumar, reunites with Prithviraj after Masters, London Bridge and Kaduva. Sijo Sebastian serves as the co-producer.
The technical lineup reinforces the scale of the project. Jomon T John is handling cinematography, Jakes Bejoy is composing the music, Chaman Chakko is in charge of editing and action director Yannick Ben will be choreographing the stunts. Together, they point to a slick, action-heavy experience designed for the big screen.
The first part of Khalifa is slated for release during Onam 2026, positioning it firmly in the festive blockbuster race. With the second part already planned, the makers appear to be building a franchise rather than a standalone film, one that will span multiple timelines and character arcs.
For Neil Nitin Mukesh, the Malayalam debut comes at a moment when cross-industry casting has become more than a novelty. As stars increasingly move between Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films, Khalifa adds another notable name to that list, promising an intriguing blend of sensibilities.
With gold, vengeance and legacy at its core, Khalifa is shaping up as a spectacle driven as much by star power as by scale. And with Prithviraj, Mohanlal and now Neil Nitin Mukesh in the mix, the film has all the ingredients to become one of the most talked-about projects on the Malayalam horizon.
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