Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (2025)

Malayalam cinema makes a gutsy move into superhero territory with Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, breathing fresh life into old Kerala tales. Dominic Arun directs this dark fantasy backed by Dulquer Salmaan’s production house, featuring Kalyani Priyadarshan in the main role, alongside Naslen and Sandy Master. The film hit theaters on August 28, 2025, marking the industry’s first real shot at creating a universe built on mythology.

The story mixes fast-paced action with folklore in ways we haven’t seen before. With stunning visuals, a cast that commits fully, and clear plans for more films, this movie proves regional cinema can compete anywhere. It opens doors for storytelling that respects tradition while pushing boundaries.

A Story Where Old Meets New

Chandra arrives in Bengaluru carrying secrets. Working nights at a cafe, this red-haired woman draws attention from her neighbor Sunny, played by Naslen. His group of friends starts digging around, and what they find changes everything. She’s Kalliyankattu Neeli, a being from Kerala folklore who’s lived for centuries.

Here’s the clever part: instead of playing the monster, she’s fighting for people who have no voice. The script adds modern crime through an organ trafficking ring, grounding fantasy in harsh reality. When dangerous forces target her, she fights back hard while trying to keep innocent people safe.

The film creates a hidden world where supernatural beings walk among us unnoticed. Clues appear throughout, pulling you deeper into the mystery of who Chandra really is and what she wants. Seeing characters like Chathan and Kadamattathu Kathanar show up made me want the next film immediately.

Kalyani Owns This Role

Kalyani Priyadarshan transforms completely here. Trading her usual sweet characters for someone fierce and complicated, she makes Chandra feel real despite the fantasy setting. The action demands physical commitment, which she delivers, but it’s the quieter scenes where her work really shines, showing centuries of loneliness and pain behind those glowing eyes.

Naslen plays Sunny with natural charm and comic instincts that never feel forced. His character helps balance the film’s darker edges and gives viewers someone to relate to in this strange world. Sandy Master brings real menace as a cop whose prejudices put him directly in Chandra’s path, creating genuine tension.

The supporting cast earns their screen time. Chandu Salimkumar and Arun Kurian play Sunny’s friends with chemistry that makes their friendship believable. Young Durga C. Vinod impressed me deeply with how she handled young Neeli in flashbacks, bringing weight to scenes that needed it. Guest appearances from Dulquer Salmaan, Tovino Thomas, and Sunny Wayne serve the larger story being built, not just fan excitement.

Where The Film Succeeds

Director Dominic Arun builds a world that feels lived-in and dangerous. Taking a character known as a villain and making her the hero took courage, and it works because the film commits to the choice fully. The movie talks about power, gender, and justice without stopping the action to lecture, everything serves the story.

Nimish Ravi shoots Bengaluru like a character itself, neon-soaked streets and shadow-filled alleys that feel both familiar and threatening. Jakes Bejoy’s score knows when to go big and when to pull back, supporting scenes without overwhelming them. Fight choreography looks expensive and well-rehearsed, especially in period sequences. Visual effects handle the supernatural elements without looking cheap or rushed, a real achievement given the budget.

Sound design creates atmosphere in every scene. Production design moves smoothly between modern city life and historical flashbacks, making both feel authentic. Editing keeps things moving while giving emotional beats room to breathe. Every technical department understood the assignment and delivered.

What Holds It Back

The middle section loses some momentum. Exposition scenes drag when they should snap, and some could’ve been cut entirely. The organ trafficking plot, while adding contemporary relevance, doesn’t get enough development. Better integration between that storyline and the mythology would’ve strengthened both.

Sandy Master struggles with some dialogue delivery, his performance has the right energy but hits awkward notes in places. His character’s attitudes toward women make a thematic point but lack nuance in the writing. Several supporting characters feel thin, existing mainly to move plot pieces rather than standing as real people with their own concerns.

Setting up future films sometimes works against this one. The cameos excite fans but might leave others confused about who these characters are and why they matter. Balancing what this film needs with what the franchise needs proved tricky. Shifts between light comedy and dark horror don’t always land smoothly, the tonal whiplash can jar you out of the story.

What People Are Saying

Critics responded positively overall. High On Films praised how the film takes Marvel’s template and makes it distinctly Malayalam, calling out Kalyani’s breakthrough work and the careful world-building. Technical achievements got mentioned repeatedly in reviews, particularly the cinematography and sound.

Viewers on IMDb rated it 8.1 out of 10, showing strong audience support. People appreciated the risk of building a superhero franchise from folklore. The Hollywood Reporter India found it visually and narratively striking while noting character development issues. Other critics called it a fresh spin on familiar stories.

Social media lit up with praise for Naslen’s comedy timing and the film’s bold style. Comparisons to Western superhero movies came naturally, but most noted it maintains an Indian identity throughout. The consensus lands at not perfect but definitely worth watching, a film that pushes Malayalam cinema into new territory.

4 out of 5 stars