The highly anticipated Malayalam action thriller 'Khalifa – The Bloodline' has made a major casting revelation, officially confirming the involvement of superstar Mohanlal. He is set to portray the grandfather of Prithviraj Sukumaran's character, adding immense star power to the ambitious two-part saga.
A Legendary Role Revealed
The announcement was made through a striking poster and a social media reveal by the actors themselves. Mohanlal will essay the role of Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, the patriarch of a powerful and feared lineage. The poster, shared by both Mohanlal and Prithviraj on Instagram, came with the dramatic caption: “Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali! Meet the legend in Part 1. Know his bloody history in Part 2. Khalifa Part 1 - In cinemas Onam 2026. Vengeance will be written in GOLD… But before GOLD… There was BLOOD.”
While the poster keeps Mohanlal's look under wraps, it powerfully establishes the film's tone and narrative structure. It confirms the film will be released in two chapters: Part 1: The Intro and Part 2: His Reign. The first part will serve as the origin story, introducing the empire built by Mohanlal's character and setting the stage for the violent legacy that follows.
Decoding the Poster and Teaser Clues
The newly unveiled poster is rich with symbolism, hinting at a world of crime, power, and violence. It features a bloodstained hand holding a cigar, placed ominously beside stacked gold biscuits and a revolver. The tagline “Before gold… there was blood” underscores the film's intense and gritty premise, suggesting that immense wealth was forged through a brutal and bloody past.
This revelation builds upon the narrative groundwork laid by the film's earlier teaser. The teaser depicted a sprawling investigation by police and customs agencies into gold smuggling networks spanning Kerala, Nepal, the Middle East, and London. Veteran actor Indrans, playing a character named Hamsa, warns authorities that Prithviraj's character, Aamir Ali, faces assassination if he enters India due to the COFEPOSA Act.
Hamsa then proceeds to recount the terrifying legacy of both Aamir Ali and his grandfather, Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali. The teaser also offered glimpses of high-octane action sequences that have drawn comparisons to the visual style of Prithviraj's earlier film 'Ranam'.
A Highly Awaited Onscreen Reunion
This project marks another high-profile collaboration between Prithviraj Sukumaran and Mohanlal, further exciting their massive fan base. Their last team-up was for the much-talked-about film 'L2: Empuraan', the sequel to the blockbuster 'Lucifer'. The announcement of Mohanlal playing the grandfather to Prithviraj's character in 'Khalifa' adds a fascinating dynamic to their onscreen partnership.
With a confirmed release window of Onam 2026 for the first part, 'Khalifa – The Bloodline' is poised to be one of the most ambitious projects in Malayalam cinema. The combination of a gripping two-part narrative, a stellar cast led by two of the industry's biggest stars, and a premise rooted in a gritty underworld saga has set expectations soaring. The film promises to explore a bloody history that ultimately leads to a golden empire of vengeance.
