Cinema VinesIn a landmark achievement for Malayalam cinema, the romantic comedy Bethlehem Kudumba Unit has eclipsed the box‑office record set by Vaazha 2, according to industry tracker AB George. The film, starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju, crossed the ₹130 crore gross threshold and drew more than 80 lakh viewers in Kerala, making it the fourth Malayalam movie after Narasimham, Pulimurugan and Vaazha 2 to reach this footfall milestone in the post‑2000 era.
AB George announced the figures on X at 12:14 PM on Friday, September 11, 2026, noting that the tally comes from the film’s 22nd day of theatrical run. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit opened in cinemas on August 21, 2026, during the Onam release window, and has continued to attract audiences week after week.
The movie was directed by Girish A. D. and produced by Dileesh Pothan, Fahadh Faasil and Syam Pushkaran under Bhavana Studios. In addition to Pauly and Baiju, the supporting cast includes Sangeeth Prathap, Suresh Krishna, Vinay Forrt, Roshan Shanavas, Shyam Mohan, Shameer Khan, Srinda and others. The story follows Ashley, who returns to Kerala after living abroad, and her rekindled romance with Justin, a local caterer who shares her love of music. Their relationship develops amid family dynamics and societal opposition.
Music for the film is composed by Vishnu Vijay, with cinematography by Ajmal Sabu and editing by Akash Joseph Varghese. Girish A. D. and Kiran Josey are credited as writers. While AB George’s numbers place Bethlehem Kudumba Unit ahead of Vaazha 2 on the benchmark scale, the article cautions that box‑office figures can vary between trackers due to differing methodologies and territories covered.
With these impressive figures, Nivin Pauly’s latest outing has cemented its status as a new industry hit in Mollywood, marking another high point in his recent theatrical career.
