Kochi’s cinema halls are buzzing again. After a rocky start to September, the Malayalam film industry is breathing a sigh of relief—and it’s all thanks to stories that resonate. A surprise rom-com hit and two promising new releases have exhibitors leaning forward with cautious optimism.

Key facts

  • Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has crossed ₹300 crore in worldwide collections as of September 13, 2026.
  • The film stars Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju and was directed by A. D. Girish.
  • Released on August 21, 2026, it has earned approximately ₹150 crore in Kerala alone.

A Record-Breaking Run

Filmmaker A. D. Girish’s Bethlehem Kudumba Unit isn’t just performing well—it’s rewriting records. By Sunday, September 13, the film had surged past the ₹300-crore mark globally, overtaking the previous record set by Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. Suresh Shenoy of the Film Exhibitors’ United Organisation of Kerala confirmed the milestone, noting that repeat viewers have significantly boosted its performance.

Breakdowns show a Kerala gross of around ₹150 crore, with another ₹120 crore from overseas and ₹30 crore from the rest of India. That kind of spread signals something special: a story that travels.

New Releases Spark Hope

Just as excitement around Bethlehem held strong, two new films entered the scene on September 11—Pradhama Drishtya Kuttakkar and Aasha. Their warm reception couldn’t have come at a better time. Earlier in the month, the industry felt the sting when the highly anticipated I’m Game, starring Dulquer Salmaan, underperformed.

But now, footfalls are climbing. P.V. Basheer Ahamed, president of the Kerala Film Exhibitors’ Association, put it simply: “These movies are receiving a positive response in view of its strong content. It has been proved again that an interesting script will always bring the audiences into the cinemas.”

The Faces Behind the Films

Pradhama Drishtya Kuttakkar, directed by Shahad, features an ensemble cast including Parvathy Thiruvothu, Vijayaraghavan, and Mathew Thomas. Meanwhile, Safar Sanal’s Aasha stars Urvashi, Joju George, and Aishwarya Lekshmi. Both films are drawing crowds not through spectacle, but through substance—a trend that’s giving exhibitors real hope heading into the end of the quarter.