Is Justin and Ashley’s love story finally headed to OTT? Well, that’s the latest buzz in industry circles. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju in the lead, is, reportertedly, nearing the end of its theatrical run and set to drop on OTT in early October. The film, which hit theatres on August 21 as one of the Onam releases of the year, became a runaway hit and now holds the distinction as the highest grossing Malayalam film, surpassing Lokah Chapter 1 in doing so. It is rumoured to be dropping on streaming on October 2, 2026, a development that is yet to be confirmed.
Nivin Pauly in Bethlehem Kudumba Unit
Directed by Premalu maker Girish AD, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’s digital streaming rights had been picked up by JioHotstar prior to the theatrical run. It was initially thought that the platform would follow the 4-week from release window and bring the film to home audiences. But at that mark, the film was still drawing crowds in theatres and adding over Rs 1 cr to its tally every day. It was heard that the film team had reached an agreement with the streamer to push the OTT release ahead.
As such, Vismaya Mohanlal’s Thudakkam, which had an August 7 theatrical release, came out on September 18, which was said to be the date earmarked for Bethlehem Kudumba Unit. There was a buzz that Bethlehem Kudumba Unit could drop on September 25, but it’s also been heard that the south versions of Yash’s Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups will be on OTT that day and all attention could be diverted. As such, October 2 is the new and more likely date.
The film, meanwhile, follows Justin (Nivin) a small-time catering service operator in Angamaly, and his relationship with his new neighbour, the much younger Ashley (Mamitha Baiju). The film also stars Suresh Krishna, Sangeeth Prathap, Roshan Shanavas, Vinay Forrt, among many others.
