Khalifa OTT Review: 2.5/5, Prithviraj’s Aura Shines
Prithviraj Sukumaran's Khalifa: The Ruler is now streaming with a 2.5/5 rating: stylish action and star power, but a predictable second half.
Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Khalifa: The Ruler has moved from the big screen to streaming, and Pinkvilla’s review lands at 2.5/5. The August 20 theatrical release, directed by Vysakh, is an action thriller with high gloss and a plot that seldom surprises — but for fans of the star, there is still plenty to enjoy.
The film centres on Aamir Ali, a Kozhikode textile shop owner whose father is framed in a gold-trading scandal. Aamir learns that his estranged grandfather was a dreaded figure in the gold trade, and he reluctantly inherits that world, building an international empire before returning from exile to protect his family.
A sequel is already promised
The final stretch reveals that the empire Aamir has built is only a fragment of a much bigger legacy, and the film closes by setting up Khalifa: The Legacy. That gives audiences a reason to treat this as the first chapter in a planned franchise rather than a standalone story.
Where the film wins
- Prithviraj’s presence: Every entry and elevation moment is built for fan reaction, and the actor mostly delivers.
- Production polish: Opulent frames, slick action choreography and Jakes Bejoy’s background score lift several set pieces.
- The finale: The last 15 minutes are high-octane, and Mohanlal’s cameo brings a grand, massy energy.
Where it loses steam
Pinkvilla’s review argues that the film often chooses swagger over storytelling. The first half’s detailed look at gold smuggling gives way to a routine revenge drama, the antagonists never feel like a real threat, and the emotional relationships are mostly functional. The female characters, in particular, stay on the margins.
Neil Nitin Mukesh makes a sharp Malayalam debut with plenty of style, but the review notes that his character is underwritten. Mohanlal, in an extended cameo, commands the screen even if his narrative entry feels forced.
Should you stream it?
The verdict is that Khalifa: The Ruler is a serviceable mass-action entertainer — not as poor as some reactions suggest, yet nowhere near its potential. If you are tuning in for Prithviraj, Mohanlal and a glossy action fix, it delivers enough; if you want layered crime storytelling, the second half may test your patience.
Source: PINKVILLA
The room talks
0 comments