Khalifa Receives Lukewarm Reception on Release

The Cliff News | 20 August 2026

The much-anticipated action thriller Khalifa, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, premiered in theatres on Thursday, coinciding with the festive Onam season. Despite considerable buildup and high expectations, initial audience responses surfacing on X, formerly Twitter, have painted a picture of lukewarm reception, with many expressing disappointment.

The film, directed by Vysakh, appears to have missed the mark for a significant portion of its opening audience. Common criticisms centered on a predictable storyline, a lack of emotional connection with the characters, and a sluggish start that took considerable time to gain momentum.

Audience Disappointment on Social Media

Fans took to X to share their unvarnished reviews, and the sentiment was predominantly one of letdown. One user described the film as a “cliched story without emotional connect to any characters,” noting that the initial 40 minutes struggled to engage them. While the interval block was deemed satisfactory, the overall viewing experience was labelled “disappointing.”

Another reviewer expressed frustration, questioning the quality of the story, script, and direction. The portrayal of the villain also drew sharp criticism, with one user calling it “absolute crap” and awarding the film a meager 1.5/5 rating. The film was also labelled “Average, Underwhelming!!” with suggestions that it was “Inspired from Infamous Gold Smuggling related to a political party.”

Cameos and Unmet Expectations

A recurring point of feedback was the film's reliance on cameos, which some found to be the only impactful portions. However, even these moments were overshadowed by other perceived shortcomings. The makeup was cited as a letdown, and even the musical score by Jakes Bejoy was described as “mid,” contributing to a sense of overall mediocrity.

The apparent lack of emotional depth was a consistent theme, with one X user lamenting, “zero emotional connection.” While the fight choreography was acknowledged as “ok to good,” it wasn't enough to salvage the film from what many perceived as a “colossal disappointment.” The inclusion of a sequel tease at the end also left viewers questioning the film's trajectory.

In summary, #Khalifa was strictly deemed a “Below Average Padam!!”, with the only noted positive being Rajuvettan’s stylish appearance.