In a significant development for Malayalam cinema, Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh is set to make his debut in Prithviraj Sukumaran's upcoming film, Khalifa. The announcement, coinciding with Neil Nitin Mukesh's birthday, was made by Prithviraj himself, who welcomed the actor to the Malayalam film industry.

Khalifa is directed by Vysakh, known for his previous collaborations with Prithviraj in Pokkiriraja, and is penned by Jinu V. Abhraham. The film is touted to be a revenge thriller centered around gold smuggling. Prithviraj plays the lead character, Aamir Ali, who is described as a gold smuggler carrying on his family's legacy, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. A glimpse of Prithviraj in the role of Aamir Ali was previously revealed, showcasing a stylish and action-packed character. The glimpse opens with a news bulletin announcing the exposure of a multi-million-dollar gold smuggling racket operating out of the Middle East, with networks in London, Nepal, and Kerala.

While details about Neil Nitin Mukesh's role are currently under wraps, the actor shared his excitement about joining the project, stating he is proud to be entering Malayalam cinema with Khalifa. The poster shared with the announcement shows Neil Nitin Mukesh in a golden-colored outfit, leading to speculation that he may be involved in the gold smuggling business as well. The film's tagline, "Vengeance will be written in gold," further hints at the high-stakes and intense narrative.

Khalifa has been in the works for some time, with initial announcements dating back to 2022. Filming commenced in 2025 and has taken place extensively in the UK, despite initial plans to also shoot in Dubai, Nepal, and Kerala. Prithviraj had completed his UK shooting schedule in August of last year.

Adding to the anticipation, reports suggest that Mohanlal will also appear in a cameo role in the first part of Khalifa. Mohanlal's character, Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, is expected to have a more significant presence in the second part of the film.

The technical crew includes cinematographer Jomon T John, music composer Jakes Bejoy, editor Chaman Chakko, and stunt director Yannick Ben. Khalifa is produced by Jinu Abraham, Suraj Kumar and Sijo Sebastian.

Khalifa is slated to be a two-part film, with the first part scheduled for release during Onam 2026. The film is anticipated to be a high-voltage cinematic experience, combining mass appeal with emotional depth, and showcasing a story of power, betrayal, and retribution.