Box Office Clash: Nivin Pauly’s ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ Soars Past Rs 215 Crore, ‘Khalifa’ Struggles to Sustain Momentum

The ongoing cinematic showdown between Malayalam cinema heavyweights has seen a widening gap in commercial success. While Nivin Pauly’s latest venture, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, continues its remarkable streak at the global box office, Prithviraj Sukumaran’s action-thriller Khalifa is experiencing a significant slowdown as it enters its second week.

‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ Maintains Dominance

Nivin Pauly’s Bethlehem Kudumba Unit continues to demonstrate immense staying power. According to data from Sacnilk, the film raked in an impressive Rs 5.15 crore net in India on its 12th day, across 2,309 screenings. Despite a marginal 14.2% dip compared to its second Monday, the film’s overall trajectory remains stellar.

The film’s domestic performance is robust, with an India net collection reaching Rs 93.60 crore and a gross domestic total of Rs 109.25 crore. However, it is the international market that has truly propelled the film to new heights. Adding Rs 4 crore from overseas markets on Day 12, the film’s cumulative global gross has now surged to an astounding box office figure of Rs 215.25 crore.

Audience engagement remains high, particularly during late-night screenings, where the film recorded a 59.42% occupancy rate on its 12th day. Kerala continues to be the primary revenue driver, contributing Rs 5.35 crore of the day’s total gross.

‘Khalifa’ Faces Declining Returns

In contrast, the path for Khalifa has become increasingly difficult. Prithviraj Sukumaran’s action-packed thriller, directed by Vysakh, earned Rs 30 lakh net in India on its 13th day. With a drop of 14.3% from the previous day, the film’s momentum has significantly slowed.

To date, Khalifa has accumulated a domestic net of Rs 20.23 crore, with its worldwide gross standing at Rs 43.21 crore—largely supported by its overseas performance, which accounts for Rs 19.80 crore. Despite the star power of Prithviraj, the film’s occupancy rates have struggled to break into double digits for most of the day, with only night shows managing to draw a 25% turnout.

Summary of Performance

The stark contrast in their second-week figures highlights the differing appeal of the two films. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit successfully built a strong foundation during its opening week—peaking with a Rs 8.75 crore haul on its first Thursday—and has managed to retain its audience. Conversely, Khalifa, which tells the intense story of a gold-smuggling kingpin, has seen its daily numbers dwindle from a first-week high, raising questions about its longevity in theaters.

Disclaimer: The box office figures provided are based on industry estimates and public sources. Totals are subject to revision as official studio data is finalized and international reports are consolidated.