Nivin Pauly‘s Bethlehem Kudumba Unit is on a rampage at the box office, maintaining terrific trends even on weekdays. The Onam festival advantage has added significantly to the film’s momentum, further boosted by positive word-of-mouth.
Bethlehem Kudumba Unit Box Office Performance
The Bethlehem Kudumba Unit 5-day gross demonstrates exceptional performance across markets:
Territory
Gross (5 Days)
All-India (Tracked)
₹38.14 Cr
All-India (Estimated)
₹42 Cr
Worldwide
₹95 Cr
With these strong trends, the film is set to cross the ₹100 Cr mark today, becoming the fastest-ever ₹100 Cr grosser for Nivin Pauly. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit is firmly on track to join the ₹200 Cr club, with a ₹250 Cr+ finish also looking possible if the Onam holiday momentum continues.
Nivin Pauly’s Career-Best Opening
The rapid sprint to ₹100 Cr marks a significant career milestone for Nivin Pauly, who has delivered several hits but is now achieving his fastest century. The film has emerged as the clear Onam 2026 winner, with family-friendly content and festival timing creating the perfect combination for box office success.
Malayalam Cinema’s ₹100 Cr Club
Bethlehem Kudumba Unit joins an elite group of Malayalam films that have crossed the ₹100 Cr worldwide gross:
Ravi Teja’s latest release Irumudi has achieved a historic milestone at the box office, becoming the actor’s first-ever ₹100 Cr grosser. Despite facing screen count pressure from the newly released Toxic in Telangana, the devotional drama crossed the pivotal ₹100 Cr mark worldwide in just 5 days.
Record-Breaking Box Office Performance
The film collected approximately ₹106 Cr gross in its first 5 days, marking a significant achievement for Ravi Teja and setting a new benchmark in the medium-budget Telugu film space. Irumudi now holds the distinction of being the fastest Telugu film from the Tier-2/medium-budget category to enter the prestigious ₹100 Cr club.
The emotional drama blended with devotional elements has resonated strongly with audiences across all centers. The film’s Day 5 collections remained almost on par with Day 4, demonstrating remarkable stability and word-of-mouth momentum. This consistent performance indicates strong audience appreciation and repeat viewing potential.
Irumudi achieved another notable record by registering the highest footfalls on first Tuesday for any Telugu movie in 2026, surpassing even Ram Charan’sPeddi. This footfall milestone underscores the film’s mass appeal and drawing power despite competing releases.
Path to ₹200 Cr Club
With its exceptional trending and steady collections, Irumudi is now positioned as a sure-shot entrant into the ₹200 Cr club. The film’s ability to maintain collections despite new competition, combined with the upcoming extended weekend, provides a strong runway for sustained box office performance.
For Ravi Teja, this represents a career-defining moment, breaking into the ₹100 Cr club for the first time and establishing himself firmly in the big-league commercial space. Industry analysts expect the film to continue its strong run through the second week, with minimal competition in its target segment.
Toxic comes with huge expectations, mainly because of Yash’s return after KGF and the combination of Yash with Geetu Mohandas. The film also arrives with a huge canvas, strong technical team and a rich visual world. The trailer promised a bold, raw action spectacle, but does the final product deliver? Let us find whether the execution is successful in bringing these elements together in the following review.
Story
Set in Goa in 1947, Toxic tells a story about mafia gangs. The strong Raya is part of a gang led by Salvador. Ganga (Nayanthara) is Raya’s sister, and Nadia (Kiara) is his love interest. The film aims to showcase a dark and stylish universe filled with power, violence, relationships, and betrayal through these characters and more.
Performances
Yash is easily the biggest strength of the film. He looks terrific and carries himself with the kind of screen presence expected from him, and required for the film. A few scenes in Toxic work purely because of his aura.
The supporting cast has limited impact because most characters are not given enough depth, including Nayanthara. Kiara Advani has some impactful parts, along with the most anticipated Tabaahi song, while the rest of the characters struggle to leave a lasting impression.
Analysis
The first half begins well with Yash’s introduction, but the film keeps losing momentum afterwards. There are plenty of action sequences and stylish moments, yet they rarely push the story forward. The KGF influence is clearly visible throughout, but the treatment appears repetitive here, failing to create the same impact.
The second half continues with the same problem. Instead of building the characters or strengthening the central conflict, Geetu Mohandas keeps depending on action, violence, elevation scenes and stylish presentation. A few sequences work, and the climax is better handled with a nice twist, but by then the film has already become a tiring watch.
The biggest disappointment is the lack of emotional connection and a coherent screenplay. There is a lot happening on screen, but very little that makes audiences genuinely care about the characters or their journey. The three-hour-plus runtime only makes this weakness more evident.
Technically, Toxic is impressive. The production design, cinematography and overall visual presentation give the film a grand look. Yash looks every bit like a big-screen star. But the screenplay, editing and background score fail to support that scale.
Positives and Negatives
Positives
Negatives
Yash’s screen presence
Incoherent Screenplay
Visuals and production design
Poor character development
A few action sequences
Lack of emotional connect
Better Climax
Repetitive KGF-style elevations
Toxic Review and Verdict
Toxic has everything that is needed for a big film but the writing fails to meet the ambition. Yash gives the film everything he can, but style, violence and elevation moments cannot compensate for a screenplay that never finds a proper flow. Geetu Mohandas had an interesting opportunity with a massive star and canvas, but the film ends up being more about presentation than storytelling.
A visually rich but largely disappointing gangster drama that needed a much stronger script to live up to its massive expectations.
Toxic starts well with a stylish Yash introduction, but the film keeps losing its grip as the film moves ahead. The story doesn’t move much, and the screenplay feels all over the place with too many characters and action scenes that don’t add much.
The first half clearly tries to bring back the KGF feel, but it doesn’t create the same excitement. A few scenes in Kiara’s track and the interval are the only parts that work reasonably well.
Toxic: Only Visual Feast: No Strong Content in the First Half
The visuals and production are impressive, but the BGM, writing and long runtime hurt the film. Overall, the first half of Toxic is not very engaging and lacks the emotional or mass highs expected from a Yash film. A much stronger second half is needed.
At the Romanchakam trailer launch event, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga playfully addressed the buzz around Varanasi and his own upcoming film Spirit, stating he would have no objection to rescheduling Spirit if Varanasi were to arrive around the same time.
Sandeep Vanga’s Take on Varanasi vs Spirit Clash
Vanga remarked that Varanasi starring Mahesh Babu is a much bigger film than Spirit and noted that he would be willing to adjust his film’s schedule if necessary. He added that since there would be a gap of over a month between the two releases, it would not pose a significant issue.
Both industry insiders and fans have high hopes for Varanasi and Spirit, and nobody wants either film to suffer because of the other. What caught everyone’s attention at the Romanchakam trailer event was the playful nature of Sandeep, who is known to maintain an intense demeanor even off-screen.
Arjun Reddy Extended Version in the Works
Yesterday also marked the 9th anniversary of Arjun Reddy, the debut film of Sandeep Reddy Vanga. When asked about his plans for an extended version of the film, he said that they have plans and it needs 15-20 days of work, with Vijay Deverakonda needing a couple of days for his dubbing.
Romanchakam Presented by Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Sandeep Reddy Vanga is presenting Romanchakam, a film starring Sumanth Prabhas and Ananthika. The movie’s trailer was released last night, and it is being produced by his brother, Pranay Reddy Vanga, under the Bhadrakali Pictures banner.
Directed by Venu Gopal Reddy, the film features Sumanth Prabhas and Ananthika Sanilkumar in lead roles. Designed to appeal to both youth and family audiences, the movie is set for a worldwide theatrical release on September 3, 2026.
Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly, fresh off the blockbuster success of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, has expressed frustration with repeated schedule postponements for his upcoming Tamil film Benz, a Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) project. The delays have forced him to maintain his character’s beard look for an extended period, preventing him from taking on other physical transformations for different projects.
Nivin Pauly plays a dark, ruthless antagonist named Walter (also referred to as Twin Fish Walter) in Benz, the highly anticipated action thriller starring Raghava Lawrence in the lead role.
Nivin Pauly Calls Out Benz Team
In a recent interview, the actor didn’t hold back his disappointment: “Because of my agreement with Benz, I have to continue with this beard look in my last 2 movies. The shooting is getting postponed, and I am fed up calling and waiting for a response. If you’re watching this interview, please understand my situation and take a decision.”
The introduction glimpse of Nivin Pauly as Walter was released on June 5, 2025, but the film reportedly has not completed shooting yet. According to earlier updates, a 35-day schedule was pending as of January 2026.
About Benz
Benz is an upcoming Tamil-language action thriller directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan and written by acclaimed filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj. The film is said to be a prequel to Leo, further expanding the Lokesh Cinematic Universe alongside films like Kaithi, Vikram, and Leo.
The movie stars Raghava Lawrence in the lead role, with Nivin Pauly portraying his first full-fledged antagonist role in Tamil cinema. Produced under the banners of G Squad, Passion Studios, and The Route, Benz features music by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography by Madhesh Manickam, and editing by Philomin Raj.
It’s a major Toxic disappointment for fans eagerly waiting to watch Yash’s film on the big screen. Despite releasing tomorrow (August 26), the film will not be available in Dolby Atmos, IMAX, or other premium formats as promised.
Multiple Postponements Lead to Technical Issues
Toxic has faced several release delays over the past year. Initially scheduled for April 2025, the film was moved to March 2026, then June 2026, before finally locking August 26, 2026 as the release date. Post-production and release-planning issues were cited along the way, but even after all these delays, the technical front reportedly remains incomplete.
Premium Format Content Not Delivered to Exhibitors
Neither the Dolby Atmos version nor the promised premium formats such as IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and HDR versions have been delivered to exhibitors yet.
The irony is that Toxic officially announced an IMAX release earlier this month, and advance bookings have already opened in multiple premium formats.
All theaters will have to play the regular 4K Scope non-Atmos copy tomorrow. This is a significant disappointment for audiences who booked premium format tickets at higher prices, expecting an enhanced theatrical experience with superior picture quality and immersive sound for Toxic.
After four years since KGF: Chapter 2, Kannada superstar Yash is back with Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, his latest Pan-India film. The periodic-action drama is receiving a superb response from audiences across all language markets, with advance bookings already crossing ₹69 Cr nationwide.
Toxic Pan India Advance Bookings Break Records
The Toxic all India opening-day advance bookings gross stands at ₹69.39 Cr till now. In Karnataka, the film has achieved an all-time record for advance bookings — the highest for any film released in the state.
Region
Advance Bookings
Milestone
Karnataka
Not Specified
All-Time Record
Hindi Belt
₹30+ Cr
Rampage Start
Telugu States
₹11.5 Cr
Opened Today
Tamil Nadu
₹4 Cr
Above Estimates
Kerala
₹1 Cr
Above Estimates
All India Total
₹69.39 Cr
Live Count
Coming to the Telugu States, despite bookings opening only today, the film has already registered ₹11.5 Cr in advances, which is a sensational feat for a Kannada star-led Pan-India film.
The Hindi version is on a rampage from the start and has moved past ₹30 Cr in advances, while Tamil Nadu and Kerala regions are also exceeding initial trade estimates, with ₹4 Cr and ₹1 Cr in advances respectively.
Opening Day Projections for Toxic
With such a welcoming and exciting response from overall Indian audiences, Toxic is all set to have a solid opening as a Pan-India film.
A ₹100 Cr gross opening worldwide is already confirmed, and the periodic-action drama can go up to ₹120-130 Cr with positive talk and huge footfalls over the evening shows on the first day.
Toxic Plot
Set in a bygone era, the film unfolds in the coastal paradise of Goa, where a powerful drug cartel pulls the strings behind a facade of sun-soaked beaches and vibrant culture.
Blockbuster director Anil Ravipudi took to his official X (Twitter) account earlier today to address rumors about reuniting with Superstar Mahesh Babu for a new film. The clarification comes after several reports claimed the actor-director duo would collaborate on a quickie project following Varanasi, Mahesh Babu‘s highly anticipated film with SS Rajamouli.
Ravipudi’s Official Statement
Anil Ravipudi stated that Mahesh Babu has always been very dear to him, expressing immense love and respect for the Superstar. However, he made it clear that the news currently doing the rounds is completely false and untrue. “I request everyone not to believe or spread such baseless rumours,” said the director in his official post.
What Sparked the Rumors
Earlier today, industry buzz suggested that Mahesh Babu and Anil Ravipudi would join hands for their second collaboration after the 2020 blockbuster Sarileru Neekevvaru. According to the rumors, this would happen after the actor wraps up Varanasi, his much-awaited project with director SS Rajamouli that has created massive expectations across Indian cinema.
Anil Ravipudi thrashed all speculation with his clear statement, leaving no room for ambiguity. Fans who were initially excited about the potential reunion expressed disappointment on social media, with some even sharing trolls before the director stepped in to clarify.
Mani Ratnam’s 1989 romantic classic Geethanjali, starring Nagarjuna and Girija Shettar, was all set to be re-released worldwide in a remastered 4K format on August 28, 2026. However, the team has officially announced that the re-release will not happen as scheduled.
The postponement comes as the film is currently undergoing extensive 4K restoration work. The entire team is putting in extra effort to ensure the best possible quality and cinematic experience for audiences when the classic returns to theatres.
Official Statement from the Team
The makers released an official note addressing the delay: “We believe a classic like Geethanjali deserves nothing but the finest presentation on the big screen. A little more wait, but definitely worth it. Thank you for your love, patience and understanding.”
About Geethanjali (1989)
Geethanjali) marked Mani Ratnam’s foray into Telugu cinema and went on to become a landmark film. The romantic drama, which tells the poignant story of two terminally ill individuals who fall in love, won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment). The film also received seven Nandi Awards and was a major commercial success.
With music by the legendary Ilaiyaraaja, Geethanjali ran for over 100 days in theatres and is revered as a timeless classic among Telugu cinema lovers. The film’s emotional depth, memorable soundtrack, and powerful performances made it an unforgettable experience.
The postponement will certainly disappoint fans who were eagerly waiting to experience the film on the big screen in enhanced 4K quality. However, the promise of a superior restoration should make the wait worthwhile. A new release date is expected to be announced soon.
