Malayalam cinema's Onam releases: A crucial test for stars and box office
The Malayalam film industry is pinning its hopes on a strong Onam season, with three major releases collectively costing around ₹150 crore. The films are expected to draw families to theatres during the festival holidays, providing a much-needed boost after a mixed first half of 2026.
The line-up includes Nahas Hidhayath's I'm Game starring Dulquer Salmaan, A.D. Gireesh's Bethlehem Kudumba Unit with Nivin Pauly, and Vysakh's Khalifa featuring Prithviraj Sukumaran. All three actors have had uneven box-office results recently, making these releases a test of their star power.
Jude Anthany Joseph's Thudakkam, featuring debutant Vismaya Mohanlal, released on Friday (August 7, 2026) and is expected to set the tone for the season. I'm Game and Khalifa are slated for release on August 20, while Bethlehem Kudumba Unit follows on August 21.
According to estimates by the Kerala Film Producers' Association (KFPA), the three major releases together account for a budget of approximately ₹150 crore. KFPA president B. Rakesh said the industry has high expectations. "With a star-studded line-up, these films offer a perfect package for this Onam. The festival seasons continue to remain a crucial window for Malayalam cinema in terms of the possibilities of increased revenue for the investors," he said.
He added that production costs often rise with star-studded casts, crews, and multiple shooting locations.
Exhibitors are also optimistic. Suresh Shenoy, executive member of the Film Exhibitors' United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK), noted the keen competition among the three films. "I'm Game and Khalifa are in the action genre while Bethlehem Kudumba Unit comes with a rom-com tag. It will be a packed screening schedule for the exhibitors, but the festival releases have the potential to garner an equal amount of interest among the moviegoers," he said.
Last Onam, the industry saw a similar clash of three big films: Sathyan Anthikad's Hridayapoorvam, Dominic Arun's Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, and Althaf Salim's Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira. While the first two emerged successful, the third failed to perform at the box office.
