Bhavana Studios Working Class Hero Fahadh Faasil and Friends 21 August 2026 ( 2026-08-21 ) Bethlehem Kudumba Unit ( transl. Bethlehem Family Unit ) is a 2026 Indian Malayalam -language romantic comedy film starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju in the lead roles, directed by Girish A. D. and produced by Bhavana Studios, Fahadh Faasil , Dileesh Pothan and Syam Pushkaran . [ 3 ] [ 4 ] The film was released on 21 August 2026, coinciding with the Onam festival season. The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances of the cast, humour and portrayal of its central romance. It emerged as the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time and the sixth highest-grossing Indian film of 2026 . The fictional short film Soulmates - Oru Saathukkudi Pranayam , portrayed in the film, was later released as a standalone short film on YouTube on 30 August 2026. [ 5 ] The film begins with Ashley returning to Kerala after spending one and a half years studying in Ireland . Her return is overshadowed by an emotional memory, as a wedding takes place at the neighbouring house, reminding her of Justin, the man she had fallen in love with before leaving the country. The narrative then moves back two years to recount the events that led to their relationship. Ashley, a college student from Mundakkayam , moves with her family to Angamaly due to their financial difficulties. She leaves behind her childhood home, friends and her band. Ashley lives with her parents and younger brother, Alan. Her father is an unreliable alcoholic , while her mother has taken responsibility for much of the family's affairs. In the new neighbourhood, Ashley becomes acquainted with the local residents comprised in 'Bethlehem Kudumba Unit' (local groups formed at the initiative of local churches), including Justin, a bachelor in his mid-thirties who lives next door. Justin is well known and liked in the neighborhood. He runs a catering business, helps others with their problems and supports his younger brother, Joel with his short-film projects. He is also a very competent, smart and skilled man. He is passionate about music and used to digitise and share music when he was younger. Ashley discovers that Justin shares her interest in music, including the American alternative-rock band The Breeders . Their shared musical interests bring them closer. Ashley also becomes acquainted with Glikson, a younger man from the neighborhood who shows an interest in her, but she gradually develops feelings for Justin instead. Ashley eventually realises that she is in love with Justin and makes her feelings clear to him. Justin is initially uncomfortable because of their considerable age difference . He has also experienced a painful loss in the past and had decided to remain unmarried. Although he initially attempts to dismiss Ashley's feelings, he eventually realises that he has fallen in love with her as well. With the help of Justin's nun aunt Cicily (Called Kunjaunty by Justin and Joel), the two acknowledge their feelings for each other. Ashley and Justin begin a secret relationship, knowing that their families and the neighbourhood may not accept their relationship because of their age difference. Meanwhile, the film follows the lives of the people around them. Joel becomes involved in a relationship with one Sayoojya, which creates difficulties of its own, including a family clash with Sayoojya's eccentric brother Hari who is a theyyam artist and cousins. Eventually, Ashley's uncle Alex discovers the relationship between Ashley and Justin. He strongly objects to the relationship and reveals it to their families and friends, bringing the couple's secret romance into the open. Ashley faces opposition from her family, particularly her mother. The pressure from Ashley's family, along with the age difference and Justin's own uncertainty, causes their relationship to break down. Justin asks Ashley to follow her mother's wishes to send her abroad and have her support their family, and accepts that she may have to choose her own future, even if it means losing her. The narrative then returns to the present, with Ashley back in Kerala after her time abroad. The wedding taking place next door is of Joel's and Sayoojya's. Ashley and Justin meet again after their separation, forcing them to confront the feelings they had tried to leave behind. While sitting amongst their friends circle of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, Ashley makes it clear that she is still unhappy about the breakup and hasn't been able to move on. Justin's friends and family then reveal that he hasn't moved on either, and that he hasn't touched alcohol since she told him not to drink. Justin remains uncertain about whether to rekindle their relationship, worrying about her future. However, listening to Ashley talk about her feelings makes him realise that he wants to be with her. Ashley and Justin reconcile in an embrace, and decide to get married. Ashley's parents object but are forced to accept that she is an adult who cannot only live to fulfil their wishes. Nivin Pauly as Justin Davis "Mp3 King" Ashley's love interest Mamitha Baiju as Ashley Thankachan "Room 17", Justin's love interest Sangeeth Prathap as Joel Davis, Justin's younger brother Roshan Shanavas as Glikson, Justin and Joel's friend Shyam Mohan as Hari, Sayoojya's brother Suresh Krishna as Baiju Xavier, Justin's friend Vinay Forrt as Alex, Ashley's uncle Srinda as Reshma Moreli, Justin's first cousin Meenakshi Raveendran as Riya Moreli, Justin's cousin Sreerenjini as Renju Moreli, Justin's cousin Bindu Panicker as Sister Cicily / Kunjaunty, Justin and Joel's aunt Shameer Khan as Brinto Mundaparambil, Justin's friend Parvathy Ayyappadas as Sayoojya, Hari's sister and Joel's lover turned wife Vineeth Vishwam as Nandan Venkitangu Priya S Babu as Brinto's wife Abhiram Aravind as Alan Thankachan, Ashley's younger brother Jazar Clicks as Devadath, Hari's cousin Vettukili Prakash as Davis, Justin's and Joel's father Jayashankar Karimuttam as Thankachan, Ashley's and Alan's father Manjusree as Biji, Ashley's and Alan's mother Thankam Mohan as Justin's and Joel's mother Sanath Sivaraj as Rohith, Justin's and Joel's cousin, Moreli sisters' brother Vishnu Devi as Justin's and Joel's friend Vishnu Reghu as Justin's friend Chembil Ashokan as Ashley's and Alan's grandfather Syam Pushkaran as Father (Cameo Apperance) The film was officially announced in July 2025 from the production house of Bhavana Studios. [ 3 ] The project marks the first collaboration between Girish A. D. and Nivin Pauly and third collaboration with Mamitha Baiju . [ 4 ] The technical crew included cinematographer Ajmal Sabu, editor Akash Joseph Varghese, and composer Vishnu Vijay . [ 6 ] Principal photography began in January 2026 in Kochi following a launch ceremony attended by the cast and crew. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] Vishnu Vijay composed the songs as well as the background scores. The first single Maanthrikam was released on 24 July 2026. [ 9 ] The second single Illey Illa was released on 10 August 2026. [ 10 ] The film was released on 21 August 2026, coinciding with the Onam festival season and released with Khalifa: The Ruler . The film was dubbed and is scheduled for a release in Tamil and Telugu on 4 September, coinciding Janmashtami . [ 11 ] The cast and crew released a video titled Bethlehem Onam , prior to the film release, during the occasion of Onam festival. [ 12 ] [ 13 ]

Soulmates - Oru Saathukkudi Pranayam, the short film mentioned in the movie was released in the YouTube channel of Bhavana studios on 30 August 2026. The post-theatrical digital streaming rights were acquired by JioHotstar . [ citation needed ] Santanu Das of Hindustan Times gave 4.5/5 stars and wrote, "The little cues will find a way to reach us. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit wants to say that there are still second chances, and all that is loved must be cared for". [ 14 ] Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 4/5 stars and wrote, "I think we all know the answer. Therefore, it’s impossible not to mention that a story like that of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit will be considered a “romantic comedy” only when the age difference is shown as it is in this film, and if the roles are reversed, it might end up being dubbed an experimental movie or, worse, a softcore film". [ 15 ] Gopika I. S. of The Times of India gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Naturally, the film has its flaws, but as a feel-good romance, it is well made and a perfect Onam release. The climax lands well, allowing the audience to leave the theatre with a light heart". [ 16 ] Latha Srinivasan of NDTV gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Director Girish AD has shown us once again how ordinary people can be so interesting and live such rich lives filled with love, friendship, flaws and little joys. And Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju make us believe that romance doesn't always have to conform to convention - it's just about two people who love each other". [ 17 ] Vignesh Madhu of The New Indian Express gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "BKU may not be Girish's best film yet, but it still has plenty of enjoyable moments that easily overpower whatever little negatives it has. Currently, there aren't many around who can consistently pull off slice-of-life dramas with such charm and appeal, and there's no reason for the director to change tracks. Why fix what isn't broken?" [ 18 ] ↑ " Bethlehem Kudumba Unit (12A)" . Irish Film Classification Office . 17 August 2026 . Retrieved 17 August 2026 . ↑ " 'Bethlehem Kudumba Unit' Day 24 Box Office: Officially highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time; Nivin Pauly blockbuster dethrones 'Lokah' " . The Week . 13 September 2026 . Retrieved 13 September 2026 . 1 2 "Nivin Pauly, Mamitha, Girish AD and Fahadh Faasil join for new rom-com 'Bethlehem Kudumba Unit' " . Mathrubhumi English. 3 July 2025 . Retrieved 20 February 2026 . 1 2 " 'Bethlehem Kudumba Unit': Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju to lead Bhavana Studios' next" . The Week . 4 July 2025 . Retrieved 20 February 2026 . ↑ "Remember Joel's 'Soulmates – Oru Saathukudi Pranayam' in 'BKU'? The short film is now on YouTube" . Mathrubhumi. 30 August 2026 . Retrieved 31 August 2026 . ↑ "Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju Team Up With Girish AD for 'Bethlehem Kudumba Unit' " . Filmfare. 2 January 2026 . Retrieved 20 February 2026 . ↑ "Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju join forces with 'Premalu' team for 'Bethlehem Kudumba Unit' " . Onmanorama. 2 January 2026 . Retrieved 20 February 2026 . ↑ "Mamitha Baiju and Nivin Pauly's 'Bethlehem Kudumba Unit' goes on floors" . The Times of India . 3 January 2026 . Retrieved 20 February 2026 . ↑ "നിവിൻ പോളിക്കായി എം.ജി ശ്രീകുമാറിന്റെ ശബ്ദം; 'ബെത്‌ലഹേം കുടുംബ യൂണിറ്റി'ലെ മാന്ത്രികം പുറത്തിറങ്ങി" . Mathrubhumi News . 24 July 2024 . Retrieved 21 August 2024 . ↑ " 'Illey Illa...' video song from 'Bethlehem Kudumba Unit' released; Nivin-Mamitha combo wins hearts" . Mathrubhumi News . 10 August 2026 . Retrieved 21 August 2026 . ↑ " 'Bethlehem Kudumba Unit': Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju starrer Tamil and Telugu dubbed version to release in theatres on September 4" . The Times of India . 25 August 2026. ↑ "ഈ കഥ പലർക്കും റിലേറ്റ് ചെയ്യാനാകും'; ഫഹദിനെ ട്രോളി ശ്യാം പുഷ്കരൻ, പൊട്ടിച്ചിരിച്ച് നിവിനും മമിതയും" . Mathrubhumi News . 20 August 2026 . Retrieved 21 August 2026 . ↑ "ഓണം പൊടിപൂരമാക്കി 'ബെത്‌ലഹേം കുടുംബ യൂണിറ്റ്' " . Asianet News . 20 August 2026 . Retrieved 21 August 2026 . ↑ "Bethlehem Kudumba Unit review: Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju are note-perfect in a sweet, wondrous gift of a film" . Hindustan Times . 23 August 2026. ↑ "Bethlehem Kudumba Unit review: Nivin Pauly leads a sweet, non-creepy age-gap rom-com" . The Indian Express . 21 August 2026. ↑ "Bethlehem Kudumba Unit Movie Review: A warm, feel-good romance that finds its rhythm" . The Times of India . 21 August 2026. ↑ "Bethlehem Kudumba Unit Review: Nivin Pauly, Mamitha Baiju Light Up Girish AD's Breezy Age-Gap Romance" . NDTV . 21 August 2026. ↑ "Bethlehem Kudumba Unit Movie Review: Nivin and Mamitha sparkle as Girish repeats winning formula" . The New Indian Express . 22 August 2026. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit at IMDb 2026 Malayalam-language films 2026 romantic comedy films 2026 coming-of-age films 2026 comedy-drama films 2020s coming-of-age comedy-drama films 2020s coming-of-age romance films Indian comedy-drama films Indian coming-of-age comedy-drama films Indian romantic comedy films Films directed by Girish A. D. Films scored by Vishnu Vijay Films set in Kochi Films shot in Kochi Films shot in Pollachi Articles with short description Short description is different from Wikidata Wikipedia semi-protected pages Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments Template film date with 1 release date All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from August 2026