Khalifa, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Malvika Sharma, was one of the most anticipated releases of the year, and it's finally out. The film mixes action and drama, and Prithviraj carries most of it on pure swagger. Directed by Vyshakh, Khalifa follows Amir Ali, grandson of the notorious smuggler Ahammed Ali, and how fate drags him onto the same blood soaked path his grandfather once ruled.
Prithviraj is phenomenal here. He plays Amir Ali across different ages, and what stands out most is how naturally he moves through the film's action sequences without ever losing the character underneath them.
The plot itself follows a fairly familiar template. A smuggler rises, does what smugglers do, and pays for it eventually. It's a story we've seen before. What keeps Khalifa from feeling stale is how writer Jinu Abraham handles the small moments. Just when you think you know exactly where a scene is headed, he nudges it somewhere slightly unexpected, and that's enough to keep you hooked.
Malvika Sharma makes her Mollywood debut here as Fiza Ali, Amir's love interest and eventual wife. Her screen time is limited, but she still leaves an impression, and the song Asalaayavale has already won her a fair bit of love from Kerala audiences.
Neel Nitin Mukesh and Shammi Thilakan play the antagonists. Neel brings back a bit of his old Kaththi charm, and Shammi has moments where he genuinely reminds you of his father, the legendary Thilakan. The villains could've been written with more bite, but they still get the job done.
Jakes Bejoy deserves a lot of credit for holding the film together. His score keeps scenes alive even when the writing sags a little in the second half, and at this point he's become one of those composers who just knows exactly what a scene needs.
The action itself is well choreographed throughout, and Prithviraj throws himself into every punch and kick with real intensity. The final ten minutes turn into complete chaos in the best way, with a Mohanlal cameo that Malayalam cinema fans will lose their minds over. There's a second surprise cameo too, and both land exactly right. Chaman Chacko's editing stays sharp, and Jomon T. John's camera work is genuinely lovely to watch.
Khalifa could've pushed further. A sharper antagonist and a bit more mind games would've made this something special instead of just good. As it stands, it works, even if the second half drags its feet a little. What saves it from being forgettable is Prithviraj, Jakes Bejoy's score, and those two cameos at the very end.
Verdict: Khalifa is a strong contender in this year's Onam race, and Prithviraj turns in one of his most commanding performances in a while.