Anticipation is building around the upcoming film ‘Khalifa,’ which marks a significant reunion between director Vysakh and actor Prithviraj Sukumaran after a considerable hiatus. Adding to the excitement, Prithviraj Sukumaran has shed light on the involvement of cinematic legend Mohanlal in this action-packed venture. The revered ‘Drishyam’ actor is slated to portray Mambarakal Ahamed Ali, who is the grandfather of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s character, Mambarakal Aamir Ali. According to Prithviraj, Mohanlal graciously accepted the role, driven by a deep sense of affection and camaraderie.
During a promotional event held in Dubai, Prithviraj Sukumaran recounted the process of approaching Mohanlal after the screenplay for ‘Khalifa’ was finalized. He emphasized that the filmmaking team had always envisioned Mohanlal for this particular role. As quoted by the Reporter website, Prithviraj shared, “Once the screenplay for ‘Khalifa’ was complete, we knew there would be this pivotal character, the grandfather of Mambarakal Aamir Ali. It was a unanimous wish among all of us to have Lalettan embody Mambarakal Ahamed Ali. When we approached him, I believe it was his personal affection for me that led him to agree. He simply said, ‘Mone, I will definitely do it,’ and embraced the part.”
However, Prithviraj Sukumaran also tempered audience expectations by clarifying that the inaugural installment of ‘Khalifa’ will not delve into the complete backstory of Mambarakal Ahamed Ali. He highlighted, “There’s one crucial point I want to make. The very poster announcing Lalettan’s involvement explicitly states ‘Khalifa Part One: The Intro.’ Therefore, audiences should only anticipate the introduction of Lalettan’s character in this film. That is all that should be expected.”
Looking ahead, Prithviraj Sukumaran alluded to the potential for a sequel. He revealed that the comprehensive narrative of Mambarakal Ahamed Ali could be thoroughly explored in a subsequent film, provided the first installment garners a positive reception. He stated, “If, by God’s grace, this movie resonates with the audience and achieves success, a second part will undoubtedly follow. In that sequel, the complete saga of Mambarakal Ahamed Ali will be unveiled.”
‘Khalifa,’ directed by Vysakh and featuring Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead, is poised for a global theatrical release on August 20th, coinciding with the festive occasion of Onam. The film has already completed its censoring process, receiving a U/A 16+ certificate. Prithviraj Sukumaran takes on the role of Mambarakal Aamir Ali, with South Indian actress Malavika Sharma cast as the female lead. As previously mentioned, Mohanlal’s appearance as Mambarakal Ahamed Ali will serve as an introduction in this initial part.
The ensemble cast of ‘Khalifa’ further boasts a robust lineup of accomplished actors, including Renji Panicker, Shivajith, Indrans, Shammy Thilakan, Shine Varghese, Mohini, Kyra, and Master Nafash, promising a compelling cinematic experience. Notably, Nivin Pauly’s ‘Bethelehem Kudumba Unit’ is also scheduled for release during the same Onam period, adding to the exciting entertainment landscape.
