The crime drama 'Kalamkaval', starring megastar Mammootty, is experiencing a noticeable slowdown in its theatrical run as it enters the second week. The film, which opened to considerable buzz, saw its collections dip on its fourteenth day, raising questions about its final box office tally and potential digital premiere.
Day 14 Collections and Occupancy Details
On Thursday, December 18, 2025, 'Kalamkaval' added approximately Rs 50 lakh to its kitty from the Kerala box office alone. This has pushed the film's total India net collection to an estimated Rs 34.80 crore. The daily occupancy report paints a clear picture of the slowdown.
According to data from industry tracker Sacnilk, the film recorded an overall Malayalam occupancy of 14.36% for the day. The occupancy saw a gradual increase through the day: morning shows began at a modest 7.62%, afternoon shows improved to 12.50%, evening shows reached 14%, and night shows were the strongest at 23.32%.
Cast, Crew, and Audience Reception
Directed by Jithin K. Jose, 'Kalamkaval' features a powerful ensemble cast including Mammootty, Vinayakan, Gayatri Arun, Rajisha Vijayan, and Gibin Gopinath. The film's central draw has been Mammootty's intense portrayal of a serial killer, which has been widely praised by audiences and critics alike. Vinayakan's performance as a cop has also garnered decent responses from viewers.
However, with the consistent drop in daily earnings, industry insiders speculate that the team might soon start preparing for the film's over-the-top (OTT) platform release. A digital premiere often follows a few weeks after a film's theatrical window closes, especially when box office momentum wanes.
Strong Competition from 'Bha. Bha. Ba.'
The box office landscape saw a major shift with the arrival of the much-anticipated comedy 'Bha. Bha. Ba.', starring Dileep and Mohanlal. The film opened to a roaring start, netting a massive Rs 6.75 crore in India on its very first day.
The presence of Mohanlal in a pivotal role created significant pre-release hype, contributing to the film's strong opening. This marks a major comeback for actor Dileep, as it's been a long time since one of his films raked in such huge numbers on day one.
Despite the explosive start, 'Bha. Bha. Ba.' faces its own challenges. The film has been receiving mixed reviews from audiences. Being an action-comedy, there are doubts about its ability to hold family audiences over the coming weekend, which is crucial for long-term success.
The contrasting fortunes of these two major Malayalam releases highlight the unpredictable nature of the film industry. While 'Kalamkaval' struggles to maintain pace after a solid start, 'Bha. Bha. Ba.' has begun its journey on a high note but must contend with audience word-of-mouth. All eyes are now on the weekend numbers to gauge the final trajectory of both films.
