The team behind the upcoming two-part film Khalifa marked Neil Nitin Mukesh’s birthday with a surprise that instantly lit up social media. On Thursday, the makers officially announced that the actor is stepping into Malayalam cinema with the project, which stars Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead. Sharing a character poster of Neil from the film, Prithviraj wished him on his birthday and welcomed him to the Malayalam industry, setting the tone for what is clearly being positioned as a high-profile crossover.

A birthday announcement that crossed industries

Neil, in turn, expressed pride in making his Malayalam debut with Khalifa, thanking the team for the opportunity. While the specifics of his character are being kept under wraps, the actor added a cryptic line to the announcement post, writing “Going for Gold!!!”. The poster features him in a striking golden outfit, and combined with the film’s tagline, “Vengeance will be written in gold,” it hints at a character deeply tied to the world of smuggling that forms the backbone of the story.

As reported earlier, Khalifa is directed by Vysakh from a screenplay by Jinu V Abraham. The project also boasts a major cameo by Mohanlal in its first part. His character, Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, is expected to play a much more substantial role in the second part, which will also feature Prithviraj, setting the stage for a multi-star narrative arc that unfolds across two films.

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Gold, vengeance and a reunion of blockbuster names

Khailfa casts Prithviraj as Aamir Ali, a gold smuggler who inherits the family trade from his grandfather and carries the business forward into a far more dangerous terrain. With the gold trade positioned as both livelihood and curse, the film is shaping up as a saga that blends crime, legacy and revenge.

The film also marks a series of reunions that Malayalam cinema watchers will be keenly tracking. It brings Prithviraj back together with Vysakh after their earlier collaboration on Pokkiriraja. For Mohanlal, it is another project with the director after Pulimurugan and Monster. Writer Jinu V Abraham, who is also producing the film along with Suraj Kumar, reunites with Prithviraj after Masters, London Bridge and Kaduva. Sijo Sebastian serves as the co-producer.

The technical lineup reinforces the scale of the project. Jomon T John is handling cinematography, Jakes Bejoy is composing the music, Chaman Chakko is in charge of editing and action director Yannick Ben will be choreographing the stunts. Together, they point to a slick, action-heavy experience designed for the big screen.

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The first part of Khalifa is slated for release during Onam 2026, positioning it firmly in the festive blockbuster race. With the second part already planned, the makers appear to be building a franchise rather than a standalone film, one that will span multiple timelines and character arcs.

For Neil Nitin Mukesh, the Malayalam debut comes at a moment when cross-industry casting has become more than a novelty. As stars increasingly move between Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films, Khalifa adds another notable name to that list, promising an intriguing blend of sensibilities.

With gold, vengeance and legacy at its core, Khalifa is shaping up as a spectacle driven as much by star power as by scale. And with Prithviraj, Mohanlal and now Neil Nitin Mukesh in the mix, the film has all the ingredients to become one of the most talked-about projects on the Malayalam horizon.

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For Amruta Khanvilkar, 2026 has kicked off with a whirlwind of diverse roles. From a gritty, action-packed avatar in Neeraj Pandey’s Taskaree on Netflix to playing the emotional anchor of a scientist’s family in the upcoming Space Gen: Chandrayaan, she is currently navigating the most versatile phase of her career. In an exclusive chat with Filmfare, Amruta opens up about her accidental action role, her admiration for co-star Emraan Hashmi, and why she feels the industry has finally moved past regional labels. 

“The Project Chose Me”

Amruta’s entry into the world of Taskaree wasn’t planned. Initially approached for a small six-day role, she found herself auditioning for a much larger character of Mitali Kamat. She says, “”I wanted to work with Neeraj sir, so I was okay with even six days of work. But they made me audition for action sequences and gave me a bigger role. I think this project chose me. I didn’t have any part to do in this apart from just being there and listening to my director.” 

Known for her grace as a Kathak and Lavani dancer, the transition to a rough and tough character was a revelation. Amruta admits she loved being “one of the boys,” despite the physical toll. She shared, “I got injured, my hand was completely swollen, and it looked like a balloon! But we didn’t have the location for another day, so I had to put that hand in the boxing glove and finish the shoot within 15 minutes. If I didn’t have the injury, I wouldn’t have this story to tell.” 

On Emraan Hashmi and Grounded Success

Sharing the screen with Emraan Hashmi in Taskaree was another highlight. Amruta describes him as a “deep and shant (calm)” person who remains completely unfazed by his stardom and success.  She shares, “He is very unbothered with his success. It is amazing to see people who take success and failure with a pinch of salt. He has so many hit films and hit songs, yet he is just not bothered. He will come, do his work, and go. But the camaraderie between him, me, and Nandish was amazing.” 

Working in Raazi and Alia Bhatt’s Brillance  

As Amruta continues her work on different platforms, she often looks back at Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi as the project that changed her perspective on cinema. Working with Alia Bhatt remains a standout memory according to her. She says, “I think it was just career-changing for me. At that time, we were all just trying to do something amazing. I can vouch for Alia because, at that point, she chose a very different, non-glam subject. Our intention was to be honest, and that translated on screen.” 

On Female-Led Cinema and Legends

While Raazi is often recognized as a turning point for female-centric films, Amruta believes women have been leading the way for decades. She explained, “People talk about female-oriented films now, but we’ve had Seeta Aur Geeta, Chaalbaaz, and Sadma. Actresses like Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi, Shabana Azmi, and Smita Patil have already done their bit and raised the bar. I just think when a character is written fantastically and you give justice to it, that is what reaches the people.” 

Breaking Regional Barriers

When asked if the “regional actor” tag still persists in 2026, Amruta is quick to dismiss it. She said, “People who cast me, be it Meghna Gulzar or Neeraj Pandey, don’t even have it in their minds that I am a Marathi actor. In Raazi, I played a Pakistani and in Malang, I played a Christian. Mitali Kamat is actually the first Marathi character I’ve done in Hindi! If the casting directors don’t care, I don’t know why others should.” 

Working in Space Gen: Chandrayaan

In her upcoming series Space Gen: Chandrayaan, Amruta plays the wife of a scientist (played by Nakul Mehta), exploring the sacrifices made by families behind India’s space missions. She shared her experience saying, “We see things superficially, but the research showed me the immense pressure these scientists face. There’s a scene where the ISRO chief hugs the PM and seeing that dramatized was special. It takes pure love for the country to do what they do.” 

The Producer’s Hat

Amruta has also donned the producer’s hat with the Marathi play Lagna Panchami, in which she is also acting alongside Swapnil Joshi. Speaking about the impact of plays, she shared, “Theatre is seeing such golden days. I decided to take the reins in my own hands, to produce and act. Doing a play is not gudde-gudiyon ka khel (child’s play), it demands a lot of commitment.” 

As she looks forward to the rest of the year, Amruta’s goal remains simple: “I really hope that this work translates into more work, and people get to see me in different roles.”

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Fresh from the success of Sarvam Maya, Nivin Pauly is lining up his next theatrical outing with Baby Girl, a film that marks his first collaboration with Garudan director Arun Varma. Produced by Listin Stephen under the Magic Frames banner, the project continues a long-standing association between the producer and the actor after films such as Thuramukham, Ramachandra Boss and Co and Malayalee from India.

A hospital tale rooted in reality

Unlike his recent hit, Baby Girl heads into darker territory. Scripted by Bobby and Sanjay, the film is inspired by multiple real incidents and is billed as a medical thriller. Nivin plays Sanal Mathew, a hospital attendant whose seemingly ordinary life is pulled into a web of unsettling developments within the medical system. While the makers are keeping the plot tightly under wraps, the premise suggests a story that unfolds from the ground level of a hospital rather than from the point of view of doctors or administrators.

Sharing screen space with Nivin are Lijomol Jose, Abhimanyu Thilakan and Sangeeth Prathap in major roles. The film also boasts a sizeable ensemble cast that includes Aditi Ravi, Sreejith Ravi, Major Ravi, Azees Nedumangad, Jaffer Idukki, Alphy Panjikaran, Kaillash, Kichu Tellu, Nisha Sarang, Aswanth Lal, Prem Prakash and Nandu, indicating a layered narrative with several intersecting characters.

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Arun Varma’s return to the thriller zone

For director Arun Varma, Baby Girl marks a return to the thriller genre after Garudan, which was praised for its grounded approach to suspense. This time, he shifts the setting to hospital corridors, a space ripe for quiet tension, moral dilemmas and institutional decay.

The technical crew complements the film’s gritty tone. Faiz Siddik is behind the camera, Sam CS composes the music and Shyjith Kumaran handles the editing. Together, they are expected to create a taut atmosphere that blends realism with narrative urgency.

The film is scheduled to release on January 23.

Baby Girl arrives at a crucial moment in Nivin Pauly’s career. The actor is currently shooting for Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, a romantic comedy directed by Premalu filmmaker Girish AD. His upcoming slate also includes a political drama with B Unnikrishnan, Dear Students alongside Nayanthara and the Tamil film Benz, where he will be seen in a rare antagonist role opposite Raghava Lawrence.

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Beyond individual projects, Nivin has also signed a multi-film deal with Panorama Studios, signalling a renewed focus on diverse roles and high-concept storytelling.

With Baby Girl, the actor seems to be consciously stepping away from familiar terrain. Playing a hospital attendant in a thriller rooted in real-life incidents positions him in a morally complex space that recalls the grounded performances that once defined his stardom. As Malayalam cinema continues to embrace stories drawn from lived realities, this film could mark another turning point in Nivin Pauly’s evolving filmography.

Also Read: Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa Welcome Baby Girl on Wedding Anniversary