Malayalam film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has been making waves across India and beyond since its release on August 28, 2025. Bollywood superstar Priyanka Chopra took to Instagram to celebrate the film, calling it “India’s first female superhero.” Sharing the movie poster, she wrote, “Congratulations @dqsalmaan and the entire team of Lokah. This story has already been winning hearts in Malayalam, and now, it’s out in Hindi too. P.S. Added to my watchlist already! Have you?”
Dulquer Salmaan ecstatic about support
Producer and actor Dulquer Salmaan enthusiastically responded to Priyanka’s praise by resharing her story on Instagram. “OMG! Thank you! This support means the world to our whole team of Lokah!” he wrote. The film also received laud from Bollywood’s Alia Bhatt, who called it “such a fresh blend of mythic folklore and mystery” and praised the love the film was garnering. Actor Akshay Kumar applauded Kalyani Priyadarshan’s performance, calling her “brilliant” and confirming that “talent runs in the family.”
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Box Office success
Originally released with a modest 647 shows across India, Lokah Chapter 1 saw its screening increase to 1382 shows in Malayalam and over 597 in Telugu due to positive word-of-mouth. The Hindi-dubbed version also premiered recently, with 92 shows across India. The film has now crossed the Rs 100 crore mark worldwide in just eight days, making it the third-highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2025 behind L2: Empuraan and Thudaram.
Plot and cast highlights
Produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films and directed by Dominic Arun, the movie stars Kalyani Priyadarshan, daughter of noted filmmaker Priyadarshan, in the titular role. Kalyani portrays Chandra, a vampire-superhero rooted in South Indian folklore. The story unfolds mystically as Chandra moves back to Bengaluru after 20 years in Sweden, catching the attention of local youths Sunny and Venu. Alongside Kalyani, the film features Naslen, Sandy, Arun Kurian, and Chandu Salimkumar, adding depth and youthful energy to the narrative.
Critical acclaim and cultural impact
Critics and audiences have hailed Lokah as one of Indian cinema’s finest female-led films, applauding its unique fusion of mythology and modern storytelling. The film’s success represents a significant breakthrough for female superhero narratives in India’s regional cinemas, paving the way for more diverse and strong female protagonists.
Controversy and response
Despite widespread acclaim, Lokah faced backlash over a controversial dialogue perceived as derogatory towards women from Karnataka and for its portrayal of Hindu characters. Following complaints and social media outrage, Dulquer Salmaan’s production house issued a public apology and removed the offending dialogue, showing responsiveness to the audience’s concerns.
A screenshot of Priyanka Chopra sharing the appreciation for the 'Lokah Chapter 1'Instagram/@priyankachopra
Bollywood stars back the film
Beyond Priyanka Chopra and Alia Bhatt, stars like Kalki 2898 AD filmmaker Nag Ashwin and Ishaan Khatter expressed excitement and support for the film, calling it “cool,” “mindblowing,” and a refreshing addition to Indian cinema’s superhero genre.
Expanding the 'Lokah' universe
Building on its commercial and critical success, Dulquer Salmaan has confirmed plans for subsequent chapters, expanding Lokah’s narrative universe and promising audiences more thrilling stories ahead.
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra signals a new dawn for strong female-led narratives in Indian cinema, propelled by regional stories that resonate nationally and internationally.
