If there’s one film currently creating waves across the country, it’s Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra. Directed by Dominic Arun and headlined by Kalyani Priyadarshan, the superhero drama has crossed ₹100 crore worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing South Indian female-led film. Produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, it has now surpassed records set by Anushka Shetty, Keerthy Suresh, and Nayanthara’s blockbusters.
At a grand celebration in Hyderabad on Thursday, Dulquer reflected on the phenomenal response. “We are still trying to process what is happening. For us, Lokah was something always very intimate; it almost felt like a very expensive indie film. We had to get Jakes (Bejoy) to commercialise it. But the way it’s just blown up and everywhere in the country, I have done 40 plus movies, and I have not experienced this as a hero for any of my films. Thank you to the audiences for accepting Lokah,” he said.
He also addressed long-standing criticism that cinema is often made through the male gaze. Acknowledging the contribution of screenwriter and actor Santhy Balachandran, Dulquer said, “Santhy, thank you for giving us a woman’s voice in this film. We are always told that we write and approach our cinema with the male gaze. I don’t even want to say female…if there’s a lady superhero or superstar today and we represented her correctly, all credit to Santhy B.”
Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra marks the beginning of a planned superhero series. The film follows the mysterious Chandra (Kalyani), who returns to India under the guidance of Moothon (voiced by Mammootty). Naslen stars as her neighbour and love interest, Sunny, while Sandy takes on the role of Inspector Nachiyappa, the antagonist.
