Box Office Battle: ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ Dominates as Prithviraj Sukumaran’s ‘Khalifa’ Faces Dip

The Malayalam film industry is witnessing a significant clash of titans at the box office, with the latest numbers revealing a stark contrast in the performances of two major releases. As the second week of theatrical runs progresses, the Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer Khalifa faces a downward trend, while the Nivin Pauly-led Bethlehem Kudumba Unit continues to see an impressive surge in its earnings.

‘Khalifa’ Struggles in Second Week

Directed by Vysakh, Khalifa experienced a further decline in its box office momentum on its tenth day. According to data from Sacnilk, the film earned an estimated Rs 90 lakhs net in India on Saturday, a 14.3% drop from its Day 9 performance of Rs 1.05 crore.

With 608 shows screened across the country, the film’s total India net collection now stands at Rs 18.64 crore. When combined with its robust international performance—which has contributed Rs 19.50 crore—the movie’s worldwide gross collection has reached Rs 41.09 crore.

Occupancy reports for Day 10 indicate a moderate audience turnout with an overall occupancy of 37.72%. While morning shows saw a sluggish 13.56% attendance, the numbers improved toward the night, with the final shows of the day recording a peak occupancy of 40.67%.

‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ on a Record-Breaking Run

In contrast, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit is demonstrating extraordinary strength. The film defied typical second-week lulls, registering an increase in collections on its ninth day. The movie raked in Rs 10.20 crore net in India, marking a 6.8% growth compared to its Day 8 earnings of Rs 9.55 crore.

The film’s performance is underpinned by overwhelming audience demand, reflected in its massive scale of 2,641 shows. Its cumulative India net collection has surged to Rs 72.05 crore, with the worldwide gross now standing at a formidable Rs 171.50 crore.

The film’s success is bolstered by exceptional occupancy rates, averaging 82% throughout the day. Kerala continues to be its strongest territory, contributing Rs 9.65 crore in gross earnings on Day 9 alone. Significant support also came from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, proving the film’s broad appeal beyond its home state.

Comparative Outlook

As the second week concludes, the two films paint a contrasting picture of the current theatrical landscape. While Khalifa battles to maintain stability following a strong opening week of Rs 16.69 crore, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has firmly established itself as a commercial juggernaut, showing no signs of slowing down as it marches toward higher box office milestones.

DISCLAIMER: The box office numbers and data in this article are compiled from public and industry sources. All figures are approximate and provided for informational purposes only. Totals may be subject to change as official studio data is finalized.