Kalyani Priyadarshan’s ‘Lokah’ beats ‘Raazi’ with $15M to rank 4th among female-led Indian films

Highlights:

• Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra collects $15.2 million in 21 days.
• Becomes the 4th highest-grossing female-led film in Indian cinema, overtaking Alia Bhatt’s Raazi.
• Marks the first South Indian female-led film to cross the $12 million benchmark.
• Currently the second-highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time.
• Part of a five-film universe spearheaded by Dulquer Salmaan.

Box office milestones

Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra, directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan, continues its record-breaking run. In 21 days, the film has grossed $15.2 million, according to Sacnilk, making it the 4th highest-grossing female-led film in Indian cinema history.

This position was previously held by Alia Bhatt’s 2018 film Raazi, which earned $14.8 million during its theatrical run.

Breaking barriers for Malayalam cinema

The film has already become the second-highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time and holds the distinction of being the first female-led South Indian film to cross the $12 million mark. Analysts project it could surpass $16.2 million in the coming weeks.

Lokah: India’s first Malayalam cinematic universe

Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra is the first installment in a planned five-part cinematic universe created by Dulquer Salmaan. The second chapter will feature Tovino Thomas, who appeared in a cameo in the first film, followed by a third led by Salmaan himself. The fourth installment is set to star Mammootty.

Alia Bhatt’s upcoming projects

Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt—whose breakout came with Raazi—is preparing for upcoming roles in Aditya Chopra’s Alpha alongside Bobby Deol and Sharvari Wagh, followed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War with Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.