The Malayalam film industry in Kerala is banking on a bumper Onam season, with around ₹150 crore at stake as theatres expect a spike in footfalls.

The audience response to the releases lined up for the festival, including Nahas Hidhayath’s I’m Game, A.D. Gireesh’s Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, and Vysakh’s Khalifa, will be a test of strength for actors Dulquer Salmaan, Nivin Pauly, and Prithviraj Sukumaran who had a mixed run at the box-office in recent times.

Jude Anthany Joseph’s Thudakkam starring Vismaya Mohanlal, which released across cinemas on Friday (August 7, 2026), is likely to set the tone for the industry’s much-awaited festival season. I’m Game and Khalifa are slated for release on August 20, while Bethlehem Kudumba Unit will reach theatres on August 21. Together, the three major Onam releases accounted for a total budget of around ₹150 crore, as per the estimates by the Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA).

“The industry has high expectations on the festival releases,” pointed out B. Rakesh, president of KFPA. “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. The festival holidays help in attracting family audiences to the movie halls,” he said.

Asked about the soaring budget for major releases, Mr. Rakesh said that the production cost often goes up in tune with the star-studded cast and crew along with the multiple locations, if any, used for filming it.

The exhibitors are pinning their hopes high on the Onam releases after witnessing mixed results in the first half of 2026. Suresh Shenoy, executive member of the Film Exhibitors’ United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK), said that this festival is witnessing a keen competition among the three movies.

“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 had faced a similar clash of three heavyweights, including Sathyan Anthikad’s Hridayapoorvam, Dominic Arun’s Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, and Althaf Salim’s Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira.

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra and Hridayapoorvam emerged the winners in the final lap, while Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira failed to click at the box-office.

Published - August 07, 2026 10:42 am IST