Onam Box Office 2026: Nivin Pauly's Bethlehem Kudumba Unit eyes Rs 1 billion worldwide, Khalifa holds steady
Kerala's Onam season has delivered its usual box office showdown, and this year it's gangster kingpin drama Khalifa: The Ruler versus small-town romance Bethlehem Kudumba Unit — two films that couldn't be more different, and audiences are voting with their wallets. Nivin Pauly, Mamitha Baiju’s ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ wins early praise as Onam feel-good entertainer Khalifa: Power, legacy, and…
Kerala's Onam season has seen two box office headliners: Khalifa, a gangster drama, and Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, a small-town romance. Nivin Pauly's Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has gained early praise and is currently performing well at the box office. Directed by Girish A.D., the film follows Justin (Nivin Pauly), an unmarried middle-aged man whose life takes a turn when Ashley (Mamitha Baiju) moves in next door.
The story takes place in the small town of Angamaly and focuses on Justin's relationship with Ashley, with quirky supporting characters and humor. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has collected Rs 8.80 crore net in India on its first day across 1,781 shows, marking a 23.1% increase compared to the previous day. Its worldwide gross has now reached Rs 61.05 crore.
In contrast, Khalifa, directed by Vysakh, follows Aamir Ali (Prithviraj Sukumaran), a carefree young man who gets involved in Kerala's gold smuggling underworld. The film stars Mohanlal, Tovino Thomas, and Krithi Shetty. Khalifa is holding steady at the box office, earning around Rs 1.88 crore net on its fourth day, with a total net collection of Rs 11.53 crore domestically and Rs 14.25 crore overseas, making its worldwide gross Rs 27.68 crore.
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