Exclusive! Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Khalifa is a stylish ‘mass’ thriller to be shot in UAE, Nepal and India

After Adam Joan and Kaduva, Prithviraj Sukumaran and scriptwriter Jinu Abraham are teaming up again for director Vysakh’s upcoming ‘mass’ thriller titled Khalifa. The makers had revealed the film’s first look poster on the star’s birthday on Sunday.

In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, Jinu, who is also co-producing the film, says, “Khalifa is a revenge thriller. It will be made on a big budget and on a huge canvas. It will be a stylish ‘mass’ thriller. The movie will be shot in the UAE, Nepal and Kerala, where major portions of the movie is set.”

While the writer and actor had previously teamed up for films such as London Bridge and Adam Joan, which were also shot abroad, Jinu says, “This is a totally different film; it’s a full-on ‘mass’ film from the start. We have been discussing this project for some time now and the plan is to begin shooting next year.”

Incidentally, Vysakh was supposed to team up with Prithviraj for the first time a decade ago in Mallu Singh. The actor’s look from the film was also released but he had to opt out as the shoot clashed with the filming of Rosshan Andrrews’ Mumbai Police. This prompted the makers to then rope in Unni Mukundan.

Vysakh, who has Mohanlal’s Monster set for release on October 21, will also helm Unni’s Bruce Lee. Prithviraj, meanwhile, is set to direct Mohanlal’s Empuraan next year. Ask Jinu where Khalifa fits into the plans and he says, “I am not sure about that. Maybe Prithviraj might finish a schedule of this film and then start with Empuraan or vice versa. All that is yet to be planned.”

Jinu, who is also co-producing the film under his new banner Jinu Abraham Innovations, also tells us that the team has completed its casting process. “There will be actors from Tamil and Hindi as part of the movie,” he says, adding that the names will be revealed soon.