Director Vysakh has brought ‘Khalifa’ back into the spotlight by sharing a fan’s strong opinion about the film’s box-office performance. The Prithviraj Sukumaran-starrer, which arrived in theatres during the Onam season, failed to meet expectations despite its pre-release buzz. Following its OTT debut, a viewer posted a detailed review on Instagram, arguing that negative campaigns and hostility towards Prithviraj affected the film’s theatrical run. Vysakh shared the post on his Instagram Story, drawing fresh attention to the film and the debate around its reception.
Vysakh shares fan’s review-bombing claims
The fan described ‘Khalifa’ as an example of what they believed was excessive criticism, review bombing and hatred directed at Prithviraj. The viewer said they had wanted to watch the film in theatres but eventually watched it on OTT. The post also acknowledged that ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ was a competing release, while arguing that ‘Khalifa’ might have received a different response with another lead actor. These comments reflect the fan’s personal assessment rather than an established explanation for the film’s box-office performance. By sharing the post, Vysakh gave the opinion visibility, but did not independently confirm every claim made in it.
Prithviraj’s ‘Khalifa’ praised for mass elements, music, and direction
The fan’s review also defended the film’s commercial style, pointing to its music, editing, direction and plot twists. Although the viewer described the storytelling as somewhat old-school, they argued that mainstream cinema still needs larger-than-life entertainers alongside more realistic films. There was a sense of dissatisfaction that the effort made by Vysakh had not produced the anticipated result. Audiences react differently to mass entertainers. However, the shared post does not establish that negative reviews alone were responsible for the film’s performance.
‘Khalifa’ OTT release: Where to watch Prithviraj’s film
Directed by Vysakh and written by Jinu Abraham, ‘Khalifa’ stars Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role. Jinu Abraham is also associated with the film’s production. Following its theatrical run, the film became available on multiple streaming services, with releases across several Indian languages and territories.
About The Author
