Neil Nitin Mukesh Set for Malayalam Debut in Mob Thriller Khalifa Movie

The producers of the two-part movie Khalifa, which stars Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role, revealed earlier on Thursday, Neil Nitin Mukesh's birthday, that the actor will be making his Malayalam debut. Prithviraj welcomed Neil to Malayalam cinema and wished him a happy birthday by sharing a poster featuring Neil's role from the movie. Neil expressed his pride in making his debut in Malayalam with the movie. As previously reported, Mohanlal makes a cameo appearance in the first portion of the film, which is directed by Vysakh from a screenplay by Jinu V. Abhraham. In the second section, which will also include Prithviraj, Mohanlal's character, Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali will play a bigger role.

Today was the big announcement. Neil Nitin Mukesh was formally welcomed into the industry by the producers of director Vysakh's highly anticipated revenge thriller Khalifa. Prithviraj Sukumaran wished Neil Nitin Mukesh a happy birthday on Instagram after sharing the news. The caption read, “Happy birthday, Neil Nitin Mukesh! Welcome to the Malayalam film industry! #KHALIFA” Meanwhile, Neil posted on social media: “Going for Gold !!! ✨⭐️💫 Proud to announce my first film in the Malayalam film industry! #KHALIFA.”

Happy birthday Neil Nitin Mukesh! Welcome to the Malayalam film industry! #KHALIFA
@PrithviOfficial@NeilNMukesh#Vysakh#JinuVAbhraham@jakes_bejoy#SurajKumar#ChamanChacko#JomonTJohn@APIfilms@homescreenent@SonyMusicSouth@poffactiopic.twitter.com/ViljcUQUN1

— Prithviraj Sukumaran (@PrithviOfficial) January 15, 2026

Khalifa Movie Update:

Going for Gold !! ⭐️💫✨
Proud to announce my first film for the Malayalam film industry! #KHALIFA
@PrithviOfficial@NeilNMukesh#Vysakh#JinuVAbhraham@jakes_bejoy#SurajKumar#ChamanChacko#JomonTJohn@APIfilms@homescreenent@SonyMusicSouth@Poffactiopic.twitter.com/3E7AQegzPp

— Neil Nitin Mukesh (@NeilNMukesh) January 15, 2026

The storyline centres on a vast, multimillion-dollar gold smuggling network that operates out of the Middle East and has networks that extend from Kerala to London and Nepal. An old guy and a customs officer named Panicker are subjected to a heated interrogation in the movie's opening scene. Citing the COFEPOSA Act, Panicker tries to frighten the man by saying Aamir Ali is done, but the man's response is a master class in tension. 

After working together on Pokkiriraja and Mohanlal with the filmmaker following Pulimurugan and Monster, Prithviraj and Vysakh are reunited in the film, which writer Jinu is also producing alongside Suraj Kumar. Additionally, it reunites Prithviraj with author Jinu following Masters, London Bridge, and Kaduva. The movie's co-producer is Sijo Sebastian.

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