Girish A.D.'s romantic comedy "Bethlehem Kudumba Unit" has officially become the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time, overtaking "Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra" on its 24th day in theatres.
The Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju-led film, released on August 21, 2026, during the Onam festive season, crossed the ₹300 crore mark worldwide over its fourth weekend. Trade trackers pegged its worldwide gross at approximately ₹304.95 crore as of September 13, with India net collections around ₹146.4 crore and an overseas gross of roughly ₹134 crore. Some later estimates put the global total even higher, near ₹309 crore, as the film continues its run.
With this, "Bethlehem Kudumba Unit" edged past "Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra," the Kalyani Priyadarshan-led fantasy actioner that had held the record with a lifetime worldwide gross of around ₹301.4 crore. It is only the second Malayalam film to cross the ₹300 crore mark globally, and it also became the highest-grossing film in Kerala's history, outperforming previous leaders in the state.
Trade reports on the film's budget have varied, with early estimates pegging production costs anywhere between roughly ₹23 crore and ₹30 crore — meaning the film has returned well over ten times its cost regardless of which figure is used.
Written and directed by Girish A.D., known for "Premalu" and "Thanneer Mathan Dinangal," the film is produced by Fahadh Faasil, Dileesh Pothan and Syam Pushkaran under the Bhavana Studios banner. It follows Ashley (Mamitha Baiju), who returns to Kerala after time abroad and is drawn back into memories of Justin (Nivin Pauly), a man she once fell for. The film has been credited with pulling in family and women audiences in particular, powering its steady, word-of-mouth-driven run well past its opening weeks.
For Nivin Pauly, the film marks a major career comeback to the top tier of Malayalam box office, while it further cements Girish A.D.'s run of commercial hits in the romantic comedy space.
Sources: The Week, DNA India, Filmibeat, GreatAndhra, Onmanorama
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