Malayalam cinema has a new box-office record holder. Girish A.D.’s Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju, has reportedly crossed the ₹300 crore mark worldwide, overtaking Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra to become the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time.
The romantic comedy reached the milestone on its 24th day in theatres, making the achievement particularly notable for the speed at which it has accumulated its worldwide earnings.
According to figures cited by film trade analysis platform What The Fuss, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit is only the second Malayalam film to enter the ₹300 crore worldwide club.
Bethlehem Kudumba Unit crosses ₹300 crore in just 24 days
The film’s latest milestone puts it ahead of Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, which had previously occupied the top position with a reported worldwide collection of ₹302.65 crore.
Lokah took 45 days to reach the ₹300 crore benchmark, whereas Bethlehem Kudumba Unit achieved the same feat in only 24 days.
That gives the Nivin Pauly-Mamitha Baiju starrer a 21-day advantage over its predecessor in reaching the landmark.
The film’s worldwide total was expected to move beyond ₹305 crore by the end of the latest weekend, further extending its lead over Lokah.
Nivin Pauly film also dominates the Kerala box office
The film’s performance has not been limited to the global market.
After 23 days, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit had reportedly collected ₹134.13 crore in Kerala, according to the figures cited in the report. That run had already taken it past Vaazha II, whose reported Kerala collection stood at around ₹126 crore.
As a result, the film has established itself as the highest-grossing Malayalam release in the Kerala market as well.
Its combination of a strong domestic run and substantial overseas business has helped it make a rapid climb to the top of the overall Malayalam box-office rankings.
Overseas markets provide a major boost
Sacnilk’s figures cited in the report put the film’s India collection at ₹165.60 crore after 23 days, while its overseas earnings were estimated at ₹132.50 crore.
That would place its reported worldwide total at approximately ₹298.10 crore at that stage, before the subsequent ₹300 crore milestone.
The figures also illustrate how important international audiences have become to major Malayalam releases. Based on those estimates, India accounted for approximately 55.55% of the film’s worldwide earnings, while overseas markets contributed about 44.45%.
The overseas share is particularly significant given the relatively smaller domestic market for Malayalam cinema compared with some of India’s larger film industries.
How the Malayalam box-office record changed hands
The top position at the Malayalam box office has changed repeatedly in recent years, reflecting the industry’s growing ability to deliver major theatrical successes.
In September 2025, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, directed by Dominic Arun and starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, reportedly overtook Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan with a worldwide collection of ₹302.65 crore.
A few months later, Vaazha II made its own mark by surpassing Lokah in terms of Kerala collections. However, its reported worldwide total of ₹235.45 crore was not enough to take the overall global record.
Now, in September 2026, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has moved into the number-one position both worldwide and in Kerala, according to the cited trade figures.
Malayalam cinema’s record-breaking run continues
The rapid succession of box-office milestones has become one of the defining developments in Malayalam cinema over the past several years.
According to information attributed to film analyst A.B. George, the all-time Malayalam box-office record has changed hands through films including Narasimham, Rajamanikyam, Classmates, Twenty:20, Drishyam, Premam, Pulimurugan, 2018, Manjummel Boys, L2: Empuraan and Lokah.
Bethlehem Kudumba Unit now joins that list.
What makes the trend particularly noteworthy is that several of these record-setting films emerged from an industry that traditionally operates with comparatively modest budgets, a smaller theatrical market and lower ticket prices than some other major Indian film industries.
The increasingly strong performance of Malayalam films both within Kerala and internationally has demonstrated the expanding reach of regional Indian cinema.
Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju lead Girish A.D.’s film
Directed by Girish A.D., Bethlehem Kudumba Unit features Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju in the lead roles.
The film comes from Bhavana Studios, which has been associated with several Malayalam productions that have found strong audience responses.
Its commercial success also adds another major box-office achievement to the careers of its principal cast and director.
More records could follow
With Bethlehem Kudumba Unit still playing in theatres, its final worldwide total remains open.
Having already crossed the ₹300 crore milestone in just 24 days, the film could potentially extend its lead over Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra as its theatrical run continues.
