‘Lokah Chapter 1 : Chandra’ review: Kalyani Priyadarshan steals the show in this unprecedented fantasy thriller

Lokah Chapter 1 : Chandra takes you to a distinct world from the phrase go, one the place a superhuman lives among the many mortals. This time, we’ve a girl, Chandra.

The film, bankrolled by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Movies, is a cinematic deal with and will even be a lesson for a lot of on find out how to grasp the superhero style. Lokah is one other feather within the cap for the movie’s director and author, Dominic Arun, who regaled audiences with the black comedy drama Tharangam in 2017.

Kalyani Priyadarshan is Chandra, who arrives in Bengaluru, a metropolis not like what we’ve seen in lots of films. Her assist system advises her to remain out of bother. Chandra’s house is correct reverse the one occupied by two jobless kids, Sunny (Naslen) and Venu (Chandu Salimkumar).

Chandra is reclusive and mysterious. The viewers get a glimpse of who she is in a slickly shot scene the place she takes on a personality (Sarat Sabha) when he misbehaves with a lady. Despite the fact that Sunny is captivated by her, he grows suspicious and decides to observe her. That’s once we uncover who Chandra is.

It’s right here that Dominic scores along with his writing. He unfolds the thriller about her with such finesse and precision that the viewer enjoys the reveal. A brilliantly narrated and well-structured flashback offers goosebumps.

The masterstroke is how he has positioned Chandra in opposition to one of many standard tales from Kerala folklore. He re-imagines the character with conviction, thus breaking stereotypes about her.

Arun Kurian, Chandu Salimkumar and Naslen in ‘Lokah: Chapter 1 : Chandra’.
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The concept of supernatural beings residing amongst us has already been explored in world cinema. Even then, it’s thrilling to see how the director has dealt with the concept in a Malayalam film. The world that he builds round this idea is simply too thrilling to disregard.

There’s richness on the display screen when it comes to manufacturing design, visible results, and frames, however it’s all accomplished with out compromising the script. There seems to be ample contribution from one of many proficient actors in Malayalam cinema, Santhy Balachandran, who has been credited with further screenplay and dramaturgy.

Coming to Kalyani, who performs the primary feminine superhero of Malayalam cinema. Dominic is aware of her strengths and weaknesses. He has tapped into her swag, onscreen attraction, and agility (keep in mind her MMA-trained character in Joshiy’s Antony?) to make her Chandra, with out pushing her an excessive amount of and sticking to what the character calls for. She stands tall with composure and confidence, carrying herself with poise in costume and appears.

Naslen is tailored for the function along with his inherent attraction and comedian timing. Chandu performs his excellent ally and even generally reminds you of his father, ace actor Salimkumar. Arun Kurian provides to the enjoyable as their good friend Naijil. Tamil actor Sandy relishes his function as Nachiyappan, a misogynistic police officer, who finally ends up locking horns with Chandra.

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It’s evident that the director was on the identical web page along with his technicians, cinematographer (Nimish Ravi), editor (Chaman Chakko), composer (Jakes Bejoy), sound designer (Daybreak Vincent), and sound mixer (MR Rajakrishnan). The catchy color palette, slick cuts, rousing background rating and music items, exuberant soundscape… the movie has all of it. Add to it the manufacturing design by Banglan. Motion choreographer Yannick Ben stuns but once more, particularly in Chandra’s flashback scene.

Now, for the barrage of cameos that had been being talked about a lot earlier than the movie’s launch, the suspense is over! Their glimpses are sufficient for whistle-worthy moments within the theatre. Particularly the one which brings collectively a favorite onscreen pair!

The movie isn’t with out flaws, however they’re minor ones that may be ignored. A theatrical expertise to be celebrated, Lokah has a number of tales ready to be instructed, as proven in two post-credits scenes. It has undoubtedly laid a stable basis for a much bigger cinematic universe, pushing the envelope for Malayalam cinema, which has already set the bar excessive for film buffs in the previous few years.

Revealed – August 29, 2025 06:52 pm IST