Khalifa review: 5.8/10, One-Time Watch
Telugu · Tollywood · Released 20 Aug 2026
ReviewHub score: 5.8/10 · Verdict: One-Time Watch — based on 13 YouTube reviews (4 positive, 8 mixed, 1 negative).
The cameo delivers real goosebumps and not much screen time - the two hours around it are the actual movie.
Story
Khalifa is an action thriller revolving around a notorious gold smuggling kingpin who inherited his multi-million dollar criminal enterprise from a lineage of gangsters. The story follows his sprawling operation, which spans from the Middle East all the way to India.
What works
- The star cameo delivers genuine goosebumps for several reviewers
- A strong, well-staged second-half action sequence
- Stylish, polished cinematography
- Jakes Bejoy's score is a genuine strength
What doesn't
- Screenplay is called weak, dated, and overly generic
- Central romance and father-son relationship don't land emotionally
- The cameo is brief and doesn't sustain the film's energy beyond it
- Villain doesn't feel like a real threat
What each reviewer said
- Aswanth Kok (Telugu) — Wait for OTT, 4/10
“Repetitive stylistic choices and a script the reviewer calls genuinely weak and dated leave little to connect with beyond scattered action choreography. Bottom line: a detached watch that leans hard on its cameo for hype.” Watch the review on YouTube - POP Premiere (Telugu) — Good Watch, 7/10
“The screenplay is admittedly average, but the second half's graph and a genuinely amazing climax cameo pull it up considerably. Bottom line: a solid Onam-season watch, elevated by its ending.” Watch the review on YouTube - Unni Vlogs Cinephile (Telugu) — One-Time Watch, 5/10
“A genuinely strong second-half group fight is the emotional peak, and Prithviraj's physical commitment shows, but the father-son relationship and central romance never land emotionally. Bottom line: a casual watch, not the director's best work.” Watch the review on YouTube - POP Premiere (Telugu) — One-Time Watch, 6/10
“A slow-starting first half saves its promised action for the theatre rather than the trailer, with character work that's decent but a fairly flat, generic smuggling plot. Bottom line: a normal watch, hopes pinned on the second half.” Watch the review on YouTube - TREND SETTER 24×7 (Telugu) — One-Time Watch, 5/10
“Calls the first half rough and feels the star cameo is invoked more than actually delivered on. Bottom line: an uneven watch that leans on a name more than a role.” Watch the review on YouTube - TREND SETTER 24×7 (Telugu) — One-Time Watch, 5/10
“Skeptical going in about whether the film earns its big-star cameo, warning that misusing a legend like Mohanlal is a real risk here. Bottom line: cautious, wait-and-see territory.” Watch the review on YouTube - REELOAD MEDIA (Telugu) — Good Watch, 8/10
“A properly staged commercial film with stylish cinematography and a cameo that's integrated more meaningfully than the usual pop-in appearance. Predictable, but never boring. Bottom line: a confident, comfortable watch for a festival release.” Watch the review on YouTube - TREND SETTER 24×7 (Telugu) — One-Time Watch, 5/10
“The star cameo delivers real goosebumps but only lasts a few minutes and doesn't sustain the film's energy beyond it. Bottom line: a short-lived high wrapped around an average film.” Watch the review on YouTube - Secret Agent (Telugu) — Must Watch, 8/10
“Relentless pacing, strong supporting turns from Sanju Sivaraman and Shammi Thilakan, and a genuinely well-built cameo payoff carry this one. The only real gripe: the same stylish hero-shot gets reused a bit too often. Bottom line: a high-energy must-watch for the festival crowd.” Watch the review on YouTube - Entertainment Kizhi (Telugu) — One-Time Watch, 6/10
“Genuinely disappointed by most of the film — weak heroine performance, average smuggling plot — but admits the final ten minutes alone are worth the ticket. Bottom line: an average movie saved almost entirely by its ending.” Watch the review on YouTube - Monsoon Media (Telugu) — One-Time Watch, 5/10
“Weak, uninnovative writing is the core problem despite strong star power — the villain doesn't resonate and emotional beats fall short, though Jakes Bejoy's score and the cinematography carry real weight. Bottom line: a just-okay watch, technically polished but hollow.” Watch the review on YouTube - Crazy 4 movie (Telugu) — One-Time Watch, 5/10
“Beyond one or two scenes, this plays flat and boring — the makers lean on Prithviraj's aura and slow motion instead of real script or emotional depth, and the villain never feels like a genuine threat. Bottom line: average, with little excitement for the announced sequel.” Watch the review on YouTube - FOCUS MEDIA (Telugu) — Good Watch, 7/10
“A short, purely enthusiastic reaction — 'Guys, it's awesome, such intense!' — with nothing further to go on. Bottom line: pure excitement, no real critique to weigh.” Watch the review on YouTube
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