Khalifa: The Ruler (2026)
DirectorVysakh
StarringPrithviraj Sukumaran, Mohanlal, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Indrans
Watch onAmazon Prime Video, Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel, Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, ManoramaMAX Amazon Channel, AP International South Cinema Amazon Channel
Best for: Fans of Malayalam action crime thrillers and ensemble casts led by Prithviraj Sukumaran and Mohanlal.
Where to watch Khalifa: The Ruler online in India
Subscription
Amazon Prime Video
Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel
Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel
ManoramaMAX Amazon Channel
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
AP International South Cinema Amazon ChannelAvailability for India, data by JustWatch. Updated 23 October 2026.
Khalifa: The Ruler OTT release date
| Theatrical release (India) | 20 August 2026 |
|---|---|
| OTT / digital release (India) | 9 October 2026 |
| Gap between theatre and OTT | 50 days |
| Streaming now on | Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel, Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, ManoramaMAX Amazon Channel, AP International South Cinema Amazon Channel |
Release dates for India as listed on TMDB.
Khalifa Collection: all movies in order
- Khalifa: The Ruler (20 August 2026) · this movie
- Khalifa 2 : The Legacy (release date not announced)
Listed in release order, as per TMDB's Khalifa Collection.
Khalifa: The Ruler story (no spoilers)
Khalifa: The Ruler follows Aamir Ali, a notorious gold smuggling kingpin who inherited a multi-million dollar criminal enterprise from a lineage of gangsters. When a web of vengeance, legacy and power tightens around him, Aamir must navigate a world where his family name and his fortune are both targets. The film is a Malayalam-language action thriller with crime at its core, set against the backdrop of a gold smuggling empire. The tagline 'Vengeance will be written in gold' hints at the tone: tense, stylish and driven by retribution. Directed by Vysakh, the 159-minute film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran as Aamir Ali, with Mohanlal as Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, Neil Nitin Mukesh as Harris Basheer, and a supporting cast including Indrans, Shammi Thilakan, Malvika Sharma, Renji Panicker and Mohini. The story sets up a conflict between inherited power and the cost of vengeance, without giving away how the pieces fall.
Should you watch Khalifa: The Ruler?
Watch it for
- Prithviraj Sukumaran leads as Aamir Ali, a gold smuggling kingpin, with Mohanlal as Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali and Neil Nitin Mukesh as Harris Basheer in a crime thriller setup.
- Director Vysakh handles a 159-minute action thriller that blends gold smuggling, legacy and vengeance, as summed up by the tagline 'Vengeance will be written in gold.'
- The film is the first in the Khalifa Collection franchise, with a sequel titled Khalifa 2: The Legacy already planned, so this is the starting point.
- Jakes Bejoy and Jabir Sulaim Devathiyal compose the music for a Malayalam action crime film certified U/A 16+.
Skip it if
- You prefer shorter films: Khalifa: The Ruler runs 159 minutes, so it demands a longer attention span.
- You want a light or family-friendly watch: the U/A 16+ certificate and crime-thriller genre point to a darker, more intense tone.
Khalifa: The Ruler cast
Prithviraj Sukumaranas Aamir Ali
Mohanlalas Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali
Neil Nitin Mukeshas Harris Basheer
Indransas Hamsa
Shammi Thilakanas Raghavan
Malvika Sharmaas Fiza
Renji Panickeras Younus Ali
Mohinias Noorjahan
Sanju Sivaramas Samad
Anand Manmadhanas Rahim
Shivajith Padmanabhanas Vinayakan
Kyraa Vasudevanas VyshnaviKhalifa: The Ruler movie details
| Director | Vysakh |
|---|---|
| Writer | Jinu Abraham |
| Music | Jakes Bejoy, Jabir Sulaim Devathiyal |
| Cinematography | Jomon T. John |
| Producer | Jinu Abraham |
| Release date | 20 August 2026 |
| Runtime | 2h 39m (159 minutes) |
| Original language | Malayalam |
| Country of origin | India |
| Languages spoken in the film | Malayalam |
| Original title | ഖലീഫ: The Ruler |
| Certificate (India) | U/A 16+ |
| Worldwide box office | $1.2 million (approx.) |
Parental guide: is Khalifa: The Ruler family friendly?
This is a general guide based on the U/A 16+ certificate and the action crime genre; the film is not intended for young children. This is a general guide based on genre and certification.
Our verdict
Khalifa: The Ruler sets up a gold-smuggling empire and a vengeance story with Prithviraj Sukumaran as Aamir Ali and Mohanlal as Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali. Vysakh directs a 159-minute crime thriller that leans on legacy and power rather than quick thrills. If you like Malayalam action with a large cast and a franchise build, this is built for that audience.
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Bachelor PartyFrequently asked questions
Where can I watch Khalifa: The Ruler online in India?
Khalifa: The Ruler is listed on Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel, Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, ManoramaMAX Amazon Channel, and AP International South Cinema Amazon Channel. It is not listed as free on any major Indian OTT platform.
When is the OTT release date of Khalifa: The Ruler in India?
The OTT release date for Khalifa: The Ruler in India is 2026-10-09.
When is Khalifa: The Ruler releasing in theatres?
Khalifa: The Ruler releases in Indian theatres on 2026-08-20.
Who is in the cast of Khalifa: The Ruler?
The cast includes Prithviraj Sukumaran as Aamir Ali, Mohanlal as Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, Neil Nitin Mukesh as Harris Basheer, Indrans as Hamsa, Shammi Thilakan as Raghavan, Malvika Sharma as Fiza, Renji Panicker as Younus Ali, and Mohini as Noorjahan.
What is the watch order for the Khalifa Collection?
The Khalifa Collection starts with Khalifa: The Ruler (2026), followed by Khalifa 2: The Legacy, whose release date is not announced yet. Watch Khalifa: The Ruler first.
Page last updated 23 October 2026. Facts from TMDB; how we write these pages: editorial policy.