Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (2025) – Box Office Triumph & The Dawn of a Malayalam Superhero Universe

Superheroes have finally landed in Mollywood, and they came with a bite. 🦇Released on August 28, 2025, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has stormed into theaters as the first installment of the Lokah Cinematic Universe, directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan. Starring Kalyani Priyadarshan as the enigmatic vampire-warrior Chandra, the film has become one of the most daring experiments in Indian cinema this year—merging folklore, horror, and superhero spectacle into one ambitious origin story.

⚔️ A Dark Heroine is Born

The story introduces Chandra, a mysterious goth woman living in Bangalore, who hides a terrifying truth—she is actually Kalliyankattu Neeli, a cursed vampire born centuries ago in Kerala. Betrayed, massacred, and transformed by bats from a sacred shrine, Neeli carries her tragedy across generations while secretly being recruited into a hidden league of guardians protecting humanity.

Her encounter with Sunny (Naslen) and his friends throws her back into conflict when Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda (Sandy) and an organ trafficking ring force her to unleash her true powers. What follows is a blend of blood-soaked vengeance, mythic flashbacks, and a climactic battle that sets the stage for a larger universe of supernatural beings.

As Chandra declares, “I was cursed to wander forever, but maybe eternity was meant for this fight.”

💰 Box Office: A Supernatural Success

Made on a budget of ₹30–33 crore, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has turned into a runaway success, grossing an estimated ₹81 crore worldwide within its first week.

• Kerala Box Office: Massive opening with houseful shows, becoming the biggest female-led opener in Mollywood history.

• National Impact: Strong word of mouth pulled in audiences across South India and even in Hindi belt metros.

• Global Reach: With English subtitles and buzz about its “vampire superhero” twist, the film attracted attention in overseas markets like the Middle East and North America.

For a regional-language superhero film, these numbers mark it as one of the biggest Malayalam hits of 2025, rivaling even pan-Indian blockbusters.

⭐ Reviews: Critics & Fans React

Critics have largely praised Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra for its ambition and originality, even if the execution wasn’t flawless.

• Performances: Kalyani Priyadarshan delivers a career-defining role, balancing elegance with ferocity. Sandy’s Inspector Nachiyappa emerges as one of the most chilling Mollywood villains in recent memory.

• Visuals & Action: Nimish Ravi’s cinematography and Jake Bejoy’s pulse-pounding score elevate the action sequences, particularly Chandra’s transformation scene and the gothic flashback of her tribe’s massacre.

• Narrative Style: Some reviewers noted pacing issues in the second half, but most agreed that the mythology-driven storytelling sets it apart from Hollywood-inspired superhero films.

Fans on social media have hailed it as “Kerala’s answer to Marvel and DC”, with particular excitement about its post-credit reveals.

🌌 The Lokah Cinematic Universe Begins

The mid-credits and post-credits scenes teased a sprawling future:

• Charlie (Dulquer Salmaan) is introduced as a sword-wielding ninja.

• Chathan (Tovino Thomas) is taking on a more significant role.

• Mentions of 389 siblings hint at multiple mythological beings yet to appear.

• A shadowy figure named Moothon (voiced by Mammootty) is weaving connections between superpowered individuals.

With Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra laying the groundwork, it’s clear that Wayfarer Films is setting up a shared superhero universe rooted in Indian folklore—something unique and long overdue.

🎬 Final Verdict

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is more than a film—it’s the beginning of a cultural moment. By blending vampire mythology, Kerala folklore, and superhero storytelling, Dominic Arun and Dulquer Salmaan have given Mollywood its boldest cinematic experiment yet.

With strong box office numbers and fan excitement, the Lokah Cinematic Universe seems destined to grow. If this first chapter is any indication, the future will be filled with dark heroes, mythic battles, and epic crossovers.

As Chandra whispers before vanishing into the night: “The world thinks the sun kills me. But darkness… is where I rise.” 🌑