Malayalam cinema has stepped foot into the superhero space with Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films. Released over the Onam season, the film is already a cultural phenomenon, widely applauded for weaving mythology, fantasy, and science fiction into a new Indian superhero narrative. At the centre of this ambitious venture is a strong ensemble cast that infuses life into its complex world.
Kalyani Priyadarshan as Chandra
Kalyani Priyadarshan stars in the title role of Chandra, a mysterious young woman who returns to India after years overseas. Her character is progressively revealed to be the titular superhero at the heart of the film—a retelling of the mythic Kalliyankattu Neeli from South Indian folklore. With her charismatic screen presence, Kalyani grounds the story as a mystery and a formidable guardian, and she is thus the heart of the Lokah universe.
Daughter of popular movie director Priyadarshan, Lokah Priyadarshan has also worked in multiple South Indian movies such as Hello, Varane Avashyamund, Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea, and Antony, among others. She also won a Filmfare South Award for the best debut in South Indian cinema for her performance in Hello (2017).
Naslen as Sunny
Naslen is Sunny, Chandra’s neighbour, who is curious and sarcastic. His humour and wit give life to the plot, and his connection with Chandra helps in revealing her secret identity.
Nalsen is a familiar face in the South Indian film world with appreciable performances in films like Thanneer Mathan Dinangal, Home, Kuruthi and Valatty, among others.
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Chandu Salimkumar as Venu & Arun Kurian as Nigel
Sunny is often accompanied by his close buddies, Venu (Chandu Salimkumar) and Nigel (Arun Kurian). The pair brings warmth, humour, and relatability to the otherwise larger-than-life story, grounding it in everyday chatter and young vibes.
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Sandy Master as Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda
One of the high points of acting is from Sandy Master as Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda. He is a corrupt, misogynistic police inspector who turns out to be an antagonist for Chandra’s life. His commanding presence is a personal and societal hurdle for the heroine.
Supporting Cast
The movie also has a great supporting cast, such as Nishanth Sagar, Raghunath Paleri, Vijayaraghavan, Nithya Shri, and Sarath Sabha, all playing their part in the Lokah universe’s world-building with multi-layered characters.
Cameos and Future Teasers
Adding to the thrill are guest appearances by Dulquer Salmaan, Tovino Thomas, and Sunny Wayne. These guest shots not only excite fans but also promise the establishment of an expansive interconnected superhero universe in Malayalam film—something on the order of a “Wayfarer Cinematic Universe.”
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra Reviews
The Dominic Arun movie, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, has been received positively by fans. It has been going strong in the box office despite competition from big-name stars such as Mohanlal. It Malayalam superhero movie has minted an estimated ₹24.05 crore in just four days of release, as reported by Sacnilk. The film has experienced a strong opening weekend with everyone’s eyes on its collection towards the end of its first week.
