Malayalam cinema has produced another big-ticket project this Onam with the release of Dominic Arun’s Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. With Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen in central roles, the movie hit the theatres on Thursday and has since been raking in widespread praise for bringing a fresh approach to the superhero genre. Fans and critics have appreciated the film’s creative storytelling, complex characters, and immersive world-building, all of which have made it stand out from the regular formulaic superhero franchises.
Adding to the increasing accolades, Bollywood director Sanjay Gupta has now weighed in on the film.
Sanjay Gupta’s Praise
Gupta, whose claim to fame rests on chic action films like Kaante, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Shootout at Wadala and Kaabil, tweeted on Saturday about his praise. Posting a couple of stills from the movie, he asked viewers not to miss watching it on the big screen. He wrote, “Dear All, Go watch LOKAH Chapter 1: CHANDRA N O W ! ! ! BEST INDIAN FILM IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.”
Dear All,
Go watch
LOKAH Chapter 1: CHANDRAN O W ! ! !
BEST INDIAN FILM IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. pic.twitter.com/cV1cd8zaVn
— Sanjay Gupta (@_SanjayGupta) August 30, 2025
The director’s seal of approval has created even more buzz about Lokah, particularly given that Gupta doesn’t usually make strong recommendations. His confirmation has further justified the frenzy among fans who have been hailing the movie a game-changer for Indian superhero cinema.
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A New Superhero Universe
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is the first instalment in Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Cinematic Universe, a venture that seeks to develop multiple interrelated science-fiction narratives in Indian cinema. The movie combines elements of mythology, folklore, and a future setting to showcase the origin of Chandra, whom Kalyani Priyadarshan portrays.
The plot follows Chandra, a mysterious young woman who relocates to Bengaluru after living in Sweden for two decades. Her unusual lifestyle, including her habit of venturing out mostly during evenings, sparks curiosity in her neighbours, Sunny (Naslen) and Venu (Chandu Salimkumar). As they attempt to uncover her past, a deeper narrative begins to unfold.
Aside from Priyadarshan and Naslen, the supporting cast includes Arun Kurian, Nishanth Sagar, Raghunath Paleri, Vijayaraghavan, Nithya Shri, and Sarath Sabha.
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Reception and Box Office
Ever since its release, the film has been compared to high-budget productions like Brahmastra and Kalki 2898 AD. Critics have maintained that Lokah beats them both in terms of story and direction, even though it was produced on a lower budget.
At the box office, the movie is doing great, being the most sought-after pick during the Onam season. It has already beaten Mohanlal’s Hridayapoorvam and Fahadh Faasil’s OKCK, and it has successfully established itself as a must-see release and placed Dominic Arun’s vision as a new way forward for Indian superhero films.
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