Bethlehem Kudumba Unit OTT release date announced: When and where to watch?

CHENNAI: Malayalam film Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju, is set to make its digital debut on JioHotstar on October 2, the makers have announced.

Directed by Girish AD, the film was released on August 21 during the Onam festival.

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit features Nivin Pauly in the lead, with Mamita Baiju as the female lead. Suresh Krishna, Srinda, Vinay Forrt, and Sangeeth Prathap, among others play important roles.

Bhavana Studios has produced the film, with Fahadh Faasil, Dileesh Pothan and Syam Pushkaran backing the project. Vishnu Vijay has composed the music.

The film was released in Tamil and Telugu on September 4.

Bethlehem Family Unit becomes highest-grossing Malayalam film

The film reportedly crossed the Rs 330-crore worldwide box office mark within 37 days of its theatrical release, making it the highest-grossing Malayalam film to date, surpassing the earlier record held by Kalyani Priyadarshan-starrer ‘Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra’.

The film has also been reported to have surpassed the viewership record previously associated with Mohanlal’s ‘Narasimham’, further adding to its theatrical success.

What is ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ about?

The film follows Ashley (Mamita Baiju), whose homecoming from abroad takes an emotional turn when a wedding next door stirs memories of her first love, Justin (Nivin Pauly).

In our review of the film, we said, “BKU is at its best when it observes people and relationships, but its ensemble of characters and elements keeps interrupting its love story, with the film sometimes feeling too invested in the ensemble at the expense of the central romance.”

The review also noted that the film explores a familiar Kerala social landscape, with Ashley’s family restricting her agency through religion and emotional blackmail, while her eventual migration is also rooted in this social reality. “Flaws notwithstanding, BKU is going to remain in our collective comfort-watch list (up there with OSO, Premalu, Super Sharanya, Thanneer Mathan Dinangal and their ilk),” the review said.

Girish AD is known for directing the hit Premalu (2024), as well as Thanneer Mathan Dinangal (2019), Super Sharanya (2022) and I Am Kathalan (2024). He had initially been working on the second part of Premalu, but the project was reportedly put on hold as he was not fully satisfied with the story.