Mohanlal Joins Prithviraj Sukumaran in ‘Khalifa’ Crime Drama

Superstar Mohanlal has officially joined the cast of the highly anticipated crime drama ‘Khalifa’, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and set to be released in two parts. The first installment, titled ‘Khalifa: The Intro’, is scheduled for a theatrical release during the Onam festival in 2026.

In this dual-part saga, Mohanlal will portray the character of Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali. The film aims to explore deep themes of vengeance and power within the criminal underworld. The second part, ‘Khalifa: His Reign’, will continue the narrative begun in the first installment. Both films are produced by Jinu Abraham and Suraj Kumar under the banner of Jiinu Abraham Innovation.

The production team recently shared a poster on their Instagram handle, introducing Mohanlal’s character. They described him as a legendary figure, stating, “Mohanlal is 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!”

Character Insights and Film Details

A glimpse video released by the makers provides further insight into the storyline and characters. In this clip, Sukumaran is seen driving a luxury vehicle and engaging in intense combat against adversaries. His character, ‘Aamir Ali’, is depicted as an elite criminal who has evaded capture by law enforcement and previous governments in India.

The video concludes with Sukumaran’s character smoking a cigarette after a confrontation, leaving viewers eager for more. The film’s music is composed by Jake Bejoy, with editing handled by Chaman Chakko.

With the combination of a compelling cast and gripping narrative, ‘Khalifa’ promises to be a significant addition to the Indian cinema landscape, appealing to audiences when it hits theaters in 2026.