Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Khalifa Draws Mixed Early Reviews For Action And Story
Khalifa is a new action movie starring Prithviraj Sukumaran.
It was released in theatres on August 20.
The story follows Aamir Ali, a businessman who runs a large gold-trading network.
Some viewers liked the exciting fights, music, stylish presentation and climax.
They felt these elements made the film entertaining in theatres.
Other viewers thought the story was too predictable and lacked emotion.
Some also criticized the writing, dialogues and performances.
The film’s future response will depend on what more audiences say after watching it.
Prithviraj Sukumaran and Malvika Sharma’s action film Khalifa reached theatres on August 20.
Some viewers praised the film’s action sequences, climax, music, technical work and commercial appeal.
Other viewers criticized its predictable storyline, weak writing, poor dialogues and limited emotional depth.
Prithviraj Sukumaran’s screen presence and restrained performance received both strong praise and some criticism.
Mohanlal’s cameo, the action and the climax emerged as major talking points in early reactions.
- Who
- Prithviraj Sukumaran leads the film, with Malvika Sharma, Mohanlal, Neil Nitin Mukesh and others in the cast.
- What
- Khalifa, a commercial action film, received mixed early audience reviews.
- When
- The film was released on August 20, with early reactions posted after morning shows.
- Where
- The film was released in theatres; its story spans a gold-trading network operating across the Middle East, London, Nepal and Kerala.
- Why
- Viewers disagreed over whether the film’s action, star presence and climax outweighed its predictable storyline and limited emotional depth.
Positive Early Reactions
Critical Early Reactions
Action and climax
Positive Early Reactions
Supportive viewers praised the well-staged action sequences, interval portions and climax, with some calling the film a strong theatrical entertainer.
Critical Early Reactions
Critical viewers said only a few action blocks stood out and felt the film lacked enough memorable or emotionally powerful moments.
Story and writing
Positive Early Reactions
Some viewers felt the film’s treatment and commercial elements made its familiar story work effectively.
Critical Early Reactions
Other viewers described the storyline as predictable and criticized the writing, dialogues and use of a familiar template.
Prithviraj Sukumaran’s performance
Positive Early Reactions
Several viewers praised his style, screen presence, body language, restrained performance and overall aura as Aamir Ali.
Critical Early Reactions
Some viewers felt that although he performed well, the character lacked a convincing arc and the wider performances did not consistently stand out.
- Film
- Khalifa
- Lead actor
- Prithviraj Sukumaran
- Director
- Vysakh
- Release
- Theatrical release on August 20
- Central character
- Aamir Ali, a powerful businessman running a gold-trading network
- Key praise
- Action sequences, climax, music, technical work and commercial appeal
- Key criticism
- Predictable writing, weak emotional connection, poor dialogues and limited character development
- Notable appearance
- Mohanlal appears as Aamir Ali’s grandfather