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Bethlehem Kudumba Unit beats Lokah to become highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time
Led by Kalyani Priyadarshan, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra earned about Rs 302 crore after an exceptional run in 2025.
New Delhi: Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju’s Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has scripted history at the box office. It has become the highest-grossing Malayalam film, surpassing Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. The film, directed by Girish AD, released in theatres last month and achieved the feat riding on strong word of mouth.
Bhavana Studios, the film’s production banner, announced the milestone on Instagram on 13 September. Its worldwide gross stood at Rs 304.95 crore by the end of Sunday, its 24th day in theatres.
Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has overtaken Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, which earned about Rs 302 crore and held the record after an exceptional run in 2025, as well as two Mohanlal-starrers, L2: Empuraan (Rs 265 crore), and Thudarum (Rs 234 crore). Directed by Dominic Arun and led by Kalyani Priyadarshan, Lokah’s reign as the top-grossing Malayalam film proved short-lived, lasting less than a year before Bethlehem Kudumba Unit raced past it.
With her film’s success, Mamitha Baiju has become the only Indian actress to clock a commercial streak of Rs 200 crore films in a year. Before Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, she starred in Jana Nayagan, Vijay’s final film, which crossed Rs 300 crore worldwide. In the film, Baiju plays Vijayalakshmi, the foster daughter of Vijay’s character. She was also seen opposite Suriya in Vishwanath and Sons, directed by Venky Atluri. The Tamil-Telugu bilingual drama crossed the Rs 200-crore mark during its theatrical run.
Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’s success marks another milestone in Malayalam cinema’s recent box-office surge. Over the past few years, the industry has repeatedly reset its own benchmarks, with hits like Manjummel Boys, L2: Empuraan, and Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra each setting new standards.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)