Khalifa X reviews: Prithviraj film gets mixed response, Mohanlal cameo praised

Prithviraj Sukumaran's Onam release Khalifa, directed by Vysakh, hit theatres on August 20 with mixed audience reviews on social media. The action thriller, intended as the first of a two-part series, was released solo after Dulquer Salmaan's I'm Game backed out of the Onam race. Pre-sales were lower than expected, and the makers relied heavily on social media promotion, releasing the trailer just four days before the global release.

Koimoi reports the audience largely united in praising Mohanlal's well-guarded cameo, with one user calling the last 15 minutes an 'absolute riot' and another saying the tailend resembles the film Animal. However, many called the film average or disappointing. Hindustan Times reports fans called it a 'colossal disappointment', citing a cliched story, lack of emotional connection, and underwhelming background score. One user wrote it is a 'typical mass movie that offers nothing new or fresh', while another said the second half is 'good and watchable'.