The film was officially announced in October 2023 with a title poster. Principal photography took place between July 2024 and August 2025, primarily in Palakkad, Coimbatore, and Pollachi. The songs were composed by Shaan Rahman, background score was by Gopi Sundar, and editing was handled by Ranjan Abraham.
Bha Bha Ba was released worldwide on 18 December 2025 and received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audience, who praised the performances, particularly of Mohanlal, the first half, music, direction, cinematography and making but criticized the plot, overuse of references and forced comedy.[4][5]
Plot
During his first public speech after being declared Chief Minister of Kerala, C.K. Joseph is kidnapped by a mysterious figure who identifies himself as "The Commoner." A special investigation team is formed under Commissioner Dev G., assisted by ACP Ashkar Ahammed and Joseph’s son, Noble. Mahi, an accomplice of the Commoner, is arrested after presenting the authorities with his image. Meanwhile, the Commoner, along with Vaavamani, takes Joseph to their hideout.
At the hideout, they urge the public to submit letters outlining their grievances, placing them in a designated vehicle, to make the Chief Minister aware of their problems, highlighting that politicians only listen during elections. The public responds enthusiastically, filling the vehicle with letters. Historian Sivankutty informs Noble that the kidnappers aim to gain public support and then turns himself in as an accomplice of the Commoner. During police questioning, Mahi, Sivankutty, and Sijo, another accomplice, reveal that ACP Ashkar is also part of the gang.
As the kidnappers attempt to retrieve the vehicle, a police chase ensues, culminating in the Commoner, Ashkar, and their ally Torpedo overpowering the authorities, causing significant embarrassment to the government and the police.
The Commoner’s past is revealed to Noble by Godson Ancharakandy. Orphaned at a young age, he developed mental health issues and was admitted to a mental hospital. After escaping, he falls under the influence of "Ghilli" Bala and becomes his right-hand man. They intercept illegal gold smuggling by the Oscar Brothers and profit from selling it, eventually rising to power. Bala eventually leaves, leaving the Commoner in charge.
As pressure mounts on the investigation team, Noble discovers that the Commoner communicates with the public through a group of local boys called the "Thalapathy Boys." Attempts to question them are thwarted by Advocate Mukundan Unni. Dr. Frederick D'Souza informs Noble that he has a mental condition that causes extreme reactions to emotional disturbances. Armed with this knowledge, Noble captures Ashkar and Vaavamani. The Commoner tries to rescue them, but Mahi is killed, and the plan fails.
In a final confrontation, the Commoner explains to Joseph the reasons behind the kidnapping: Joseph had made lewd remarks about the Commoner’s mother during her funeral and blocked his father’s access to medical care, leading to his father’s death. Noble rescues Joseph, but the Commoner succeeds in exposing Joseph’s corruption through files released by Godson, fulfilling his father’s wish of becoming as influential as the politicians.Radar later warns Noble that he will seek retribution for Mahi’s death.
The Commoner, revealed to be Ram Damodar "Radar," is readmitted to the mental hospital. While there, goons sent by the Oscar Brothers attempt to kill him, but Bala intervenes to save him. Oscar vows revenge against Bala and Radar.
In August 2023, it was reported that the couple Fahim Safar and Noorin Shereef would be debuting as screenwriters for a film directed by debutant Dhananjay Shankar and produced by Sree Gokulam Movies.[6] It took two years to complete the screenplay.[7] Early reports suggested that Pranav Mohanlal would play the lead role.[8] However, on 27 October 2023, coinciding with actor Dileep's 56th birthday, the makers officially announced the film with a title poster featuring Dileep in the lead role.[9] The title is an acronym for Bhayam, Bhakthi, Bahumanam (Fear, devotion, respect).[10] Later, in an interview with Red FM in June 2025, Shereef stated that the project was originally conceived with Pranav in the lead, but the screenplay was reworked after Dileep joined the film.[11][7]
In December 2024, The New Indian Express reported that Mohanlal would appear in a cameo role as part of a two-film deal with Sree Gokulam Movies, the other project being a film directed by Jithu Madhavan.[15] His involvement was subsequently confirmed by Dileep at an event in February 2025.[16]
Filming
Principal photography commenced with an inaugural puja ceremony on 14 July 2024 in Palakkad.[17] Multiple plotlines claiming to represent the film’s story circulated on social media; however, the production team dismissed them as false rumours.[18] The film was primarily shot in Coimbatore, Pollachi, Kochi, and Perumbavoor, with the first schedule wrapping up on 25 August 2024.[19] The film's music is composed by Shaan Rahman, background score done by Gopi Sundar, with Armo handling cinematography, and Ranjan Abraham serving as the editor.[20] The second schedule of filming commenced in late December 2024 and continued for over 45 working days, concluding on 7 February 2025.[21][22] The entire shoot was wrapped by 20 August 2025.[23]
Music
The film's songs were composed by Shaan Rahman and background score by Gopi Sundar. In September 2024, Rahman shared that K. S. Chithra had sung a song in Bha Bha Ba, marking his first collaboration with her.[24] The first single, "Azhinjattam", was released on 15 December 2025 while the motion poster and teaser themes (composed by Shaan Rahman) and trailer theme (composed by Gopi Sundar) was released on 16 December 2025.
Bha Bha Ba was released worldwide in theatres on 18 December 2025.[25][26] Phars Film handled overseas distribution of the film.[27]
Reception
Critical response
Bha Bha Ba received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences.[4][5]Reviews praised the performance, particularly Mohanlal’s cameo, and the film’s first half, direction, and cinematography, but criticised its weak and inconsistent plot, underwhelming music, excessive reliance on pop-culture references, and instances of forced comedy.[28][29]The Indian Express rated the film 1.5 out of 5, calling it overindulgent despite its cameos and set-pieces.[30]Mathrubhumi reported that early audience reactions were divided, with several responses highlighting Mohanlal’s cameo as a major attraction while also noting uneven writing and logic.[31]
Box office
Bha Bha Ba opened strongly at the box office following its theatrical release on 18 December 2025. Early trade estimates reported that the film earned approximately ₹6.75 crore in India net on its opening day due to high opening-day occupancy across Kerala and strong advance bookings, marking one of the highest opening figures for a Malayalam release in 2025.[32] The film registered one of the top opening day totals of the year in Kerala, behind major Malayalam releases such as Empuraan and Coolie.[33]
Subsequent daily collections showed a significant drop after the opening day, with early estimates suggesting second-day earnings of around ₹3.3–3.4crore as word-of-mouth remained mixed.[34] The film's opening weekend four-day India net cumulative crossed ₹14.86 crore, reflecting a steady but slowing performance across key centres.[35][36][37]
Controversy
Shortly after its release, Bha Bha Ba became the subject of online criticism over a scene that several viewers described as insensitive and inappropriate. Social media users alleged that the sequence appeared to mock the trauma related to the 2017 actress abduction and sexual assault case, in which the film’s lead actor Dileep was accused and later acquitted after a lengthy trial, leading to widespread backlash.[38]
The 2017 abduction and sexual assault case involved the high-profile kidnapping and sexual assault of a fellow Malayalam film actor while she was travelling from Thrissur to Kochi. A group of men abducted her in a vehicle, assaulted her, and recorded the attack; six of the accused were convicted in December 2025, while a Kerala sessions court acquitted Dileep of conspiracy charges, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove his involvement.[39][40]
Notes
↑The title is an acronym referring to Bhayam Bhakthi Bahumanam, which translate to fear, devotion, and respect, respectively.
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