MP3 King and Room 17 take down Neeli; Bethlehem dethrones Lokah to become Malayalam cinema’s latest industry hit

Girish A.D.’s Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju, has set a new box-office record for Malayalam cinema. The film has grossed Rs 305 crore worldwide, surpassing the reported Rs 302.65-crore global collection of Lokah to become the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time.

The film has also set a new record for the fastest Malayalam movie to enter the Rs 300-crore club. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit reached the milestone in just 24 days, while Lokah took 45 days to cross the mark. It is the second Malayalam film to cross Rs 300 crore worldwide.

The Nivin Pauly-Mamitha Baiju starrer has continued its strong theatrical run across Kerala and other markets, with its Tamil and Telugu versions also continuing their theatrical journey. Its sustained performance has now pushed the film past Lokah and established it as the new industry hit in Malayalam cinema.

For Nivin Pauly, the success comes months after Sarvam Maya became his first Rs 100-crore grosser last year. He has now followed it up with his first Rs 300-crore film.

With Bethlehem Kudumba Unit joining the Rs 200-crore-plus club, Mamitha Baiju has completed a hat-trick of Rs 200-crore grossers in 2026, becoming the only Indian actress to achieve the feat this year.