Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Khalifa is now heading to the digital space, and its OTT release is turning out to be quite different from the usual Malayalam film rollout. After arriving in theatres on August 20 and facing competition from the superhit Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, the film is set to make its streaming debut across multiple platforms.
The theatrical response to Khalifa was mixed, but the film did manage to cross Rs 50 crore worldwide. Now, all eyes are on its OTT run. What makes this release particularly interesting is the number of streaming platforms involved. Unlike most films that settle with one primary OTT home, Khalifa is available across six services, giving audiences in different regions and language markets multiple ways to watch it.
Khalifa OTT Release Date
Khalifa is set to arrive on OTT on October 9. The film will be available across multiple platforms, with language availability varying from one service to another.
For audiences who missed the film in theatres, this could be a much easier way to catch Prithviraj Sukumaran in the crime action drama.
A Rare Multi-Platform Release
It is not often that a Malayalam film gets such a wide multi-platform streaming rollout. Khalifa has six OTT services attached to its digital release, covering different languages and territories.
Prime Video and Lionsgate Play: Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi
Prime Video for AP International South Cinema subscribers: All South Indian languages
Simply South: Another option for South Indian cinema audiences overseas
Aha: Tamil and Telugu
Manorama Max: Malayalam
Starzplay: Middle East and North Africa
The wide availability should work in the film’s favour, especially since Khalifa is designed as a large-scale action drama with a story that moves across multiple locations.
How Was Khalifa’s Theatrical Run?
The film opened during the Onam season and went head-to-head with Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, which managed to pull in a strong audience of its own. Khalifa, meanwhile, received a divided response.
While the film has received praise for its scale and action sequences as well as surprise cameos, many have felt that the storyline followed familiar terrain. Still, it has done well to gross over Rs 50 crores worldwide.
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What Is Khalifa About?
Khalifa is a crime action drama centred on Aamir Ali, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran. He is the heir to a powerful gold-smuggling empire that has been built and controlled by his family for generations.
The empire was originally established by his grandfather, Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, played by Mohanlal in a special appearance.
The family’s network stretches across the Middle East, London, Nepal and Kerala. After inheriting this massive operation, Aamir finds himself caught between protecting the family legacy and dealing with the rivalries, ambitions and threats surrounding the empire.
Power, loyalty and revenge form the core of the story, with Neil Nitin Mukesh and Malavika Sharma also playing key roles.
Khalifa is planned as the first part of a two-part saga. The first film primarily establishes the Ali family, its power structure and the world surrounding the gold-smuggling empire, while the sequel is expected to take the story further.
Where To Watch Khalifa On OTT?
If you are in India then Amazon Prime Video would be the easiest option to watch Arjun Adala in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi. Tamil and Telugu audiences can also watch the film on Aha and Manorama Max is also an option for the Malayalam speaking audience.
Viewers in the Middle East and North Africa can catch the film on Starzplay, while Simply South provides another option for South Indian cinema fans overseas.
The makers have not revealed the exact details of the digital rights deal across these platforms.
So, mark October 9 on your calendar. Khalifa is making its OTT entry with an unusually wide release, and the digital audience will now decide whether Prithviraj Sukumaran’s crime saga gets a stronger response than it did in theatres.
