Girish AD’s Bethlehem Kudumba Unit (BKU), starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju, has achieved what no film has managed before. The romantic comedy has crossed the ₹150 crore mark from theatres in Kerala alone, becoming the first title in the state’s history to reach this landmark. With reportedly more than 90 lakh footfalls, it has also overtaken the long-standing attendance record set by Mohanlal’s Narasimham more than 26 years ago.
Trade tracker Sacnilk.com reported that by the close of Day 32, BKU had already amassed a worldwide gross of ₹323.19 crore, with its India gross at ₹185.84 crore and overseas markets contributing ₹137.35 crore. India accounted for 57.50 per cent of the global earnings while overseas markets made up the remaining 42.50 per cent. The fifth weekend proved especially remarkable. At a stage when most films see sharp declines, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit continued to climb day after day. Trade observers noted that a five-week-old release topping daily charts is rare in recent Mollywood history.
Box-office tracker AB George highlighted another first. After 32 days, the film had secured ₹62.76 crore in distributor share from Kerala, the first time any title has crossed the ₹60 crore mark in the state. That share alone reportedly recovered nearly three times the film’s budget. All remaining rights, including OTT, satellite and overseas, represent pure additional returns, positioning BKU among the most profitable films in Malayalam cinema history.
The sustained run has been powered by strong word of mouth and exceptional repeat value. Many viewers have returned to theatres four or five times. The film’s blend of humour, relatable storytelling and the chemistry between Nivin and Mamitha has connected across age groups. Produced by Dileesh Pothan, Fahadh Faasil and Syam Pushkaran under the banner of Bhavana Studios, the film explores an age-gap romance with the light, observational comedy that has become Girish’s signature.
Nivin had already notched his first ₹100 crore film last year with Akhil Sathyan’s Sarvam Maya. BKU has now elevated him further, delivering the biggest commercial success of his career. Mamitha continues an extraordinary run in 2026, having featured in three consecutive films that have each crossed ₹250 crore worldwide: Vijay's Jana Nayagan, Suriya's Vishwanath & Sons and BKU.
The achievement also completes a rapid succession of record-breakers in Malayalam. In recent years, the Kerala and worldwide crowns have passed through Manjummel Boys, L2: Empuraan, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra and Vaazha 2 - Biopic of a Billion Bros. BKU has now claimed both the Kerala and all-time worldwide records by a clear and substantial margin. Trackers note that the film reached the ₹300 crore worldwide mark faster than any previous Malayalam release.
