'Khalifa' OTT release: Why Prithviraj Sukumaran movie is out on multiple platforms simultaneously
Prithviraj Sukumaran's 'Khalifa' is out on Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate Play, Aha, ManoramaMAX, Simply South, and STARZPLAY
Prithviraj Sukumaran's action thriller "Khalifa" is finally on streaming after a theatrical run spanning nearly one-and-a-half months. However, instead of releasing it on a single platform, the makers have opted for a simultaneous release on multiple platforms. The primary reason is said to be a
Prithviraj Sukumaran's action thriller "Khalifa" is finally on streaming after a theatrical run spanning nearly one-and-a-half months. However, instead of releasing it on a single platform, the makers have opted for a simultaneous release on multiple platforms. The primary reason is said to be a
Prithviraj Sukumaran's action thriller "Khalifa" is finally on streaming after a theatrical run spanning nearly one-and-a-half months. However, instead of releasing it on a single platform, the makers have opted for a simultaneous release on multiple platforms. The primary reason is said to be a
Prithviraj Sukumaran's action thriller "Khalifa" is finally on streaming after a theatrical run spanning nearly one-and-a-half months. However, instead of releasing it on a single platform, the makers have opted for a simultaneous release on multiple platforms.
The primary reason is said to be a deliberate strategy by the filmmakers to maximise the film's financial recovery and reach after a disappointing theatrical run.
Released with much fanfare and pre-release hype, the high-budget "Khalifa" was expected to be one of the biggest hits in Malayalam cinema. However, when it hit theatres on August 20, 2026, it received mixed reviews and had the misfortune of being engaged in stiff competition with the box-office juggernaut "Bethlehem Kudumba Unit".
Because theatrical revenue wasn't favourable, the producers opted for an aggressive digital route. Instead of selling the exclusive streaming rights to a single platform, they opted for a multi-platform, regional, and language-split licensing strategy.
According to final box-office figures reported by Sacnilk, "Khalifa" ended its theatrical run with a worldwide gross of ₹45.31 crore. The film earned ₹21.53 crore in net collections in India, while its domestic gross stood at ₹25.41 crore. Overseas markets contributed another ₹19.90 crore.
The film performed best in Kerala, its home market, where it collected ₹21.30 crore. In comparison, its performance in other Indian states was much weaker. Karnataka contributed ₹1.08 crore, while Tamil Nadu recorded ₹43 lakh. The film earned ₹47 lakh from the rest of India and just ₹14 lakh from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
These figures show that "Khalifa" relied heavily on its Kerala audience and struggled to attract viewers in other regions. With its estimated production and marketing costs reaching ₹50 crore, the film failed to recover its investment through theatrical earnings alone.
To improve its financial returns, the makers have adopted a multi-platform streaming strategy. Amazon Prime Video and Lionsgate Play are offering the film in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. Aha is targeting Tamil- and Telugu-speaking audiences, while ManoramaMAX focuses on Malayalam viewers.
The film is also reaching international audiences through Simply South, which caters to South Indian viewers living abroad. STARZPLAY is handling its release across the Middle East and North Africa.
By dividing the streaming rights among six platforms, the producers can earn licensing fees from different services instead of depending on a single deal. This approach may help recoup some of the money lost during the theatrical run while expanding the film’s reach across India and overseas.