Khalifa: The Ruler Review – Prithviraj Sukumaran Delivers Nostalgic Action Thrills

The UAE has long maintained a prominent starring role in Indian cinema. With approximately 4.3 million Indians calling the Emirates home, filmmakers have frequently utilized the country as both a narrative setting and a striking visual backdrop. From grounded, relatable stories such as Vilkkanundu Swapnangal (1980) and Jacobinte Swargarajyam (2016) to larger-scale productions like Feroz Khan’s Yalgaar (1992) and Pathaan (2023), numerous Indian films have used the UAE either as itself or to represent other locations across the Gulf.

Directed by Vysakh, who reunites with acclaimed star Prithviraj Sukumaran 15 years after the director's debut Pokkiri Raja, the Malayalam action thriller Khalifa: The Ruler joins this cinematic tradition. Portions of the film are set in Fujairah and Dubai, alongside an exterior sequence outside an unidentified airport resembling Sharjah’s terminal.

In Khalifa, Sukumaran stars as Aamir Ali, an ambitious fashion entrepreneur who is inexorably drawn into a life of crime after his family is placed in jeopardy. The supporting cast performs strongly, with Prithviraj proving particularly impressive by bringing both physical intensity to the action sequences and emotional depth to Aamir's transformation into a man driven by quiet vengeance. His primary foil is Harris Basheer, played by Neil Nitin Mukesh, an actor who commands attention whenever the narrative focuses on him.

Among the character actors with striking screen presence, Suresh Oberoi stands out as Seittuji, a mentor to Aamir. Last seen in the controversial action-drama Animal, Oberoi cuts a sharp figure, delivering dialogue with effortless coolness. While his background remains largely unexplored, this omission serves the pacing of the film, which concentrates its focus on the unfolding criminal history of Aamir’s family.

Spanning a 160-minute runtime, Khalifa is an old-school crime thriller that patiently establishes its building blocks. The UAE-set sequences feature intense action, including an extended 4x4 and buggy chase reminiscent of Vikram Bhatt’s Awara Paagal Deewana. Cinematographer Jomon T John utilizes dramatic contrasts in light and color, supported by film editor Chaman Chacko’s non-linear storytelling. Composer Jakes Bejoy complements the visuals with an eclectic soundtrack blending hip-hop, Indian semi-classical, and dark dramatic overtones.

Khalifa: The Ruler review
Director: Vysakh
Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Malvika Sharma, Sanju Sivram, Shammi Thilakan, Renji Panicker
Rating: 4/5 stars

Ultimately, Khalifa channels the stylish, larger-than-life Bollywood action thrillers of the 2000s, echoing films like Anubhav Sinha’s Dus (2005), Sanjay Gadhvi’s Dhoom: 2 (2006), and Abbas-Mustan’s Race (2008). Unapologetically cool and flashy, the film offers an entertaining experience for audiences looking for classic cinematic thrills.