Nivin Pauly's Bethlehem Kudumba Unit Sets New Malayalam Box Office Record

Nivin Pauly and Mamita Baiju have propelled Bethlehem Kudumba Unit to the top of the Malayalam box office in 2026, marking a significant milestone for both the stars and the industry. The film, directed by Girish AD—known for his previous work on Premalu—has outperformed all other Malayalam releases this year, including the previously dominant Drishyam 3 and Vaazha 2. Before even completing its third week in theatres, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit surpassed the final collections of these major hits, establishing itself as the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year so far.

Produced by Bhavana Studios in association with Fahadh Faasil, Dileesh Pothan, and Syam Pushkaran, the film features a strong supporting cast including Sangeeth Prathap, Roshan Shanavas, Shyam Mohan, and Suresh Krishna. The movie's impressive performance continues as it is poised to overtake L2: Empuraan, which currently holds the position of the second highest grosser in Kerala. According to reports, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit is maintaining robust collections across Kerala, with no signs of slowing down.

The film's reach has expanded beyond Kerala, as it was released in Tamil and Telugu last weekend and is reportedly running successfully in these markets as well. Earlier coverage highlighted the film's strong opening and positive audience reception, with Mamitha Baiju's performance receiving particular praise. Industry observers note that Bethlehem Kudumba Unit's momentum at the box office is noteworthy, especially as it continues to break records set by other major releases this year.