Prithviraj Sukumaran Cheers on ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’s’ Record‑Smashing Run

When Prithvirak Sukumaran sat down with News18, you could feel his excitement bubbling over. He wasn’t just talking about any ordinary hit; he was celebrating a phenomenon that’s reshaping Malayalam cinema. The film in question? Bethlehem Kudumba Unit – a breezy, age‑gap romantic comedy that has now become the biggest‑grossing Malayalam movie ever.

On its 24th day in theatres the movie crossed the coveted ₹300 crore mark worldwide, edging out last year’s juggernaut Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra, which had settled at about ₹302.65 crore. In Kerala alone, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has raked in more than ₹130 crore, shattering the lifetime gross of Lokah and setting a new benchmark for the industry.

Prithvirak, who himself starred in the Onam‑time release Khalifa, noted the stark contrast between the two outings. “Khalifa was made on a ₹50 crore budget and managed roughly ₹45 crore,” he said, “while Bethlehem Kudumba Unit was produced for about half that amount and still crossed ₹300 crore globally.” The numbers, he added, feel almost surreal, especially when you consider the film’s modest ₹25 crore budget.

What really lights up his eyes, though, is the frequency of these “industry hits.” He chuckled that a decade ago such blockbusters emerged once every 12‑13 years. “Now we’ve seen five in just two years,” he remarked, “one shatters a record, two months later another one does, and then yet another follows suit.” For Prithvirak, this avalanche of success is the best thing that could happen to Malayalam cinema.

He didn’t hold back when it came to the people behind the triumph. “My heartfelt congratulations to Girish AD, Sham Pushkaran, Dileesh Pothan and Fahadh Faasil for pulling off this magic,” he exclaimed. He also singled out Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju, noting how the latter became the first South Indian actress to feature in three ₹200 crore‑grossers in a single year – a feat previously achieved only by Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt.

In short, Prithvirak’s message was simple: keep the momentum going. He hopes another film will break the record within a month, because “that’s how the industry grows.” With Bethlehem Kudumba Unit leading the charge, Malayalam cinema looks poised for even bigger milestones.