Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has officially stepped into the Malayalam film industry with director Vysakh’s upcoming revenge thriller ‘Khalifa’. The makers welcomed the actor on Thursday, coinciding with his birthday, marking a significant milestone in his career as he makes his debut in Malayalam cinema.

As reported by IANS, actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, who headlines the film, took to Instagram to extend birthday wishes to Neil Nitin Mukesh and formally welcome him to the industry. “Happy birthday Neil Nitin Mukesh! Welcome to the Malayalam film industry! #KHALIFA,” Prithviraj wrote, confirming the actor’s association with the much-anticipated project.

In ‘Khalifa’, Prithviraj plays a character named Aamir Ali, a role that has already generated considerable buzz. On his previous birthday, the actor had shared a glimpse video from the film, describing it as a tale of vengeance shaped by generations. He had hinted at the scale of the narrative by saying that Aamir Ali would “write his vengeance in gold,” setting the tone for a hard-hitting thriller.

The glimpse video opens with a news bulletin revealing the exposure of a multi-million-dollar gold smuggling racket with links across the Middle East, London, Nepal and Kerala. The narrative then shifts to the interrogation of an elderly man by a customs official named Panicker, who claims that Aamir Ali is finished and can be arrested anywhere in India under the COFEPOSA Act. What follows is a gripping exchange that delves into the origins of the Act and introduces Aamir as the grandson of the notorious Ahmed Ali, a figure once powerful enough to evade the law. The sequence builds up to intense action visuals featuring Prithviraj, underlining the film’s high-octane approach.

The film promises edge-of-the-seat chase sequences and stylised action, staying true to its revenge-thriller genre. Prithviraj had completed his portions for the UK schedule of the film and returned to India in August last year. The project has continued to attract strong interest from fans and film enthusiasts ever since its announcement.

Director Vysakh had earlier expressed his excitement about collaborating with Prithviraj after a gap of 15 years, recalling their successful partnership in Pokkiri Raja. Written by Jinu V Abraham, Khalifa also brings together a notable technical team, including cinematographer Jomon T John, music composer Jakes Bejoy, editor Chaman Chacko and action director Yannick Ben.

Although Khalifa was first announced in 2022, the film went on floors only in 2025. Initially planned to be shot across Dubai, Nepal and Kerala, the project was ultimately filmed in the UK. The film also marks Prithviraj’s next collaboration with writer Jinu V Abraham after Kaduva, further adding to the expectations surrounding this ambitious venture.