Malayalam cinema enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement as reports indicate that Mohanlal has completed filming his cameo for "Khalifa Part 1: The Intro," starring Prithviraj Sukumaran. According to sources, Mohanlal wrapped up his shoot on January 13, 2026, in Kochi.

While details about his role are scarce, it is suggested that Mohanlal will be playing Mambarakal Ahmed Ali, the grandfather of Prithviraj's character, Aamir Ali. His cameo is expected to be brief but pivotal, establishing his character as the head of a powerful family lineage and setting the stage for events in the sequel. A teaser poster previously shared by Mohanlal on social media featured a bloodied hand holding a cigar, positioned beside a gold ashtray and a vintage revolver, further fueling anticipation.

"Khalifa Part 1: The Intro," directed by Vysakh, is slated for release during Onam 2026 and is touted as an action-packed family drama. The film marks the reunion of Prithviraj and Vysakh after their successful collaboration in "Pokkiri Raja" nearly a decade ago. The script is penned by Jinu V Abraham, known for his work in "Kaduva".

Prithviraj Sukumaran plays Aamir Ali, a notorious gold smuggler. The first glimpse of the film, released on Prithviraj's birthday in October 2025, showcased sleek action sequences and introduced the character as a feared figure who has never been apprehended by the police or past governments.

The film boasts a stellar technical crew, including Jomon T John as the cinematographer, Jakes Bejoy as the music composer, and Chaman Chakko as the editor. Filming commenced in London in August 2025, with additional locations including Dubai, Nepal, and Kerala.

"Khalifa" is planned as a two-part series, with the first installment arriving during Onam 2026. The second part is titled "Khalifa: His Reign". Mohanlal is expected to take center stage in the sequel.

Adding to Mohanlal's busy schedule in 2026, he has several other significant projects lined up. "Drishyam 3," directed by Jeethu Joseph, is set to release on April 2, 2026. Mohanlal will reprise his iconic role as Georgekutty in this third installment of the blockbuster thriller franchise. The film will explore the events in Georgekutty's life four and a half years after the events of the previous film. Furthermore, Mohanlal will also appear in "Patriot," a large-scale political-espionage thriller directed by Mahesh Narayanan, which is expected to be released on April 23, 2026.