Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra - A Spectacular Start to Mollywood’s Superhero Universe

Rating: 3.5☆/5

Malayalam cinema has always been known for its rooted storytelling, emotional depth, and realistic narratives. But once in a while, a film arrives that dares to expand the canvas, blending local essence with larger-than-life imagination. Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is exactly that kind of film, a daring leap into the superhero genre, one that has already set the internet buzzing with reactions.
Directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan, the film does not borrow its soul from Hollywood but instead draws its strength from Kerala’s folklore and culture. This makes it instantly relatable, while at the same time spectacular enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with global superhero sagas. At the center of this vision stands Kalyani Priyadarshan, stepping into Malayalam cinema’s very first female superhero role. Her performance is not just convincing, it is commanding. Audiences on social media have called her the “soul of the film,” praising how effortlessly she combines grace and grit in portraying Chandra.
From the very first frame, it becomes clear that Lokah is not a routine fantasy. Its visual scale is staggering, with Nimish Ravi’s cinematography and Chaman Chakko’s editing building a world that feels both mythical and futuristic. Every frame has been designed with precision, giving the film a polish that Malayalam cinema rarely gets to showcase in this genre. The background score by Jakes Bejoy adds to the spectacle, lifting the mood of every sequence. Viewers have called his music “the heartbeat of the film,” and it is easy to see why, without his soundscape, the universe of Lokah would feel incomplete.
The film unfolds slowly at first, taking its time to establish the characters and their world. But then comes the interval block, a sequence that has already achieved cult status. Audience reactions describe it as “fire mode” and “goosebump inducing,” the kind of cinematic moment that lingers long after the lights dim. It is this interval punch that transforms the movie from just another fantasy to an experience that must be seen in theatres.
The second half, by contrast, shifts gears into high action and spectacle. While a few have pointed out a slight dip in pacing midway, the momentum quickly returns, leading into a charged climax and even a post-credit twist that sets the stage for future chapters. Supporting performances by Naslen and Sandy Master add energy, while surprise cameos from Mollywood stars like Dulquer Salmaan and Tovino Thomas bring a celebratory spark.
What makes Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra particularly important is not just its execution but its cultural impact. At a time when Indian cinema often looks westward for inspiration, here is a film that proves a superhero can be born from the soil of Kerala itself. Fans are already comparing it favorably with bigger-budget industries, proudly claiming that Malayalam cinema is setting benchmarks with far fewer resources. Some even went as far as to say that this film surpasses recent Korean spectacles in its emotional and visual resonance.
In the end, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is not just a film, it is an event. It introduces a new kind of heroine, crafts a homegrown superhero universe, and delivers a theatre worthy experience filled with style, thrill, and emotion. Yes, it has its minor stumbles in pacing, but its highs are so powerful that they outweigh everything else. For Malayalam cinema, this is more than a blockbuster; it is a cultural landmark, a promise that the stories we tell can be as vast, thrilling, and heroic as any in the world.