Khalifa’ bombshell: Mohanlal to play Prithviraj’s grandfather in mega action saga
The highly anticipated Malayalam action epic ‘Khalifa’ received a major boost on Saturday with the makers officially confirming that Mohanlal has joined the project. The superstar will play Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, a feared underworld figure and the grandfather of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s character, Aamir Ali.
The announcement has intensified the already soaring buzz around the 2026 release, which is positioned as one of Malayalam cinema’s most ambitious action dramas in recent years.
Mohanlal steps In as Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali
Producers revealed that Mohanlal will portray a powerful mafia don whose legacy shapes the film’s central conflict. The character, referenced in the earlier ‘glimpses’ promo as the man who once made “Mrs Gandhi kneel,” had sparked speculation for months as the makers withheld the actor’s identity.
The star’s entry marks his fourth collaboration with Prithviraj after ‘Lucifer’, ‘Bro Daddy’ and the ongoing ‘Empuraan’ franchise. It also becomes Mohanlal’s third outing with director Vysakh, following the blockbuster ‘Pulimurugan’ and the thriller ‘Monster’.
A two-part action saga
‘Khalifa’ is being developed as a two-part film, with Prithviraj headlining the first instalment and Mohanlal taking centre stage in the sequel. Prithviraj is expected to appear in the second part as well, linking the narrative across generations through the Aamir-Ahmed Ali storyline.
Set against the backdrop of gold and high-value smuggling operations, the film draws inspiration from real-life crime networks and larger-than-life personalities.
A special promo released on Prithviraj’s birthday ignited widespread social media excitement, showcasing the actor in a full-fledged action avatar after a considerable gap. With Mohanlal’s addition now confirmed, industry watchers say expectations have “skyrocketed” for the scale, drama and star power the film promises.
Cast, crew and locations
The film features Vidyut Jammwal and Krithi Shetty in pivotal roles, with Jinu Abraham penning the screenplay. Abraham reunites with Prithviraj after earlier collaborations on ‘Adam Joan’, ‘London Bridge’, ‘Masters’ and ‘Kaduva’.
Jakes Bejoy handles the music and background score, continuing his streak of big-banner action projects.
Filming began in early August in London, with major schedules planned in Dubai, India and Nepal. The first part of ‘Khalifa’ is slated for an Onam 2026 release.