The Prithviraj Sukumaran-starrer Khalifa has crossed the Rs 40 crore mark at the worldwide box office within seven days of its release. The makers announced the milestone through social media on Thursday.

Directed by Vysakh, the film hit theatres on August 20 and opened to mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Despite the word of mouth and tough competition from Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju's Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, it registered a strong opening at the box office.

According to the makers' previous update, Khalifa had grossed Rs 22.85 crore worldwide within its first two days. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, which opened a day after Khalifa, has meanwhile emerged as a major competitor during the Onam season, crossing the Rs 100 crore worldwide mark within five days of release.

Khalifa marks Vysakh's reunion with Prithviraj after their previous collaboration Pokkiri Raja. The film also features Neil Nithin Mukesh, Shammy Thilakan, Renji Panicker, Sanju Sivram, Malvika Sharma, and Mohini in prominent roles. Jinu V Abraham has scripted and produced the film, which has cinematography by Jomon T John, editing by Chaman Chakko and music by Jakes Bejoy.

Following the release of Khalifa, the makers also announced the title of its second instalment as Khalifa 2 - The Legacy, with Mohanlal taking the lead role alongside Prithviraj, Tovino Thomas and Soubin Shahir. Mohanlal plays Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali, the grandfather of Prithviraj's character Mambarakkal Aamir Ali, who was unveiled towards the end of the first film. The sequel, which will feature Prithviraj reprising his role, is expected to focus more on Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali and explore the family's history and the world of gold smuggling established in the first instalment.

An excerpt from the CE review of the film reads, “Khalifa needed more than slick staging and Prithviraj's screen presence to become the film it wanted to be. It looks ambitious, plays confident and occasionally delivers, but underneath all that polish is a rather routine action drama.”