Kochi: Lokah brings folklore and fantasy to superhero storytelling
Among this year’s Onam releases, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has drawn maximum attention. And why not? It carries the unique tag of being Malayalam cinema’s first female superhero film. Yet, after watching it, one realises that the film’s ambition extends beyond that.
Director Dominic Arun, who earlier made Tharangam, along with co-writer Santhy Balachandran, has created a layered narrative that fuses Kerala folklore with a tale of immortals. Their world-building relies not on spectacle alone but on grounding fantasy within familiar roots. The film even opens with the statement, “All legends have an element of truth” — setting the tone for what follows.
Strong performances anchor the narrative
The cast is uniformly strong. Kalyani Priyadarshan, stepping into an uncharacteristic role as Chandra, lends both humanity and spirit to the larger-than-life heroine. Naslen, as Sunny, shines with his effortless delivery — even the simplest dialogues come alive with his spontaneity.
Supporting actors, too, add depth. Sandy’s turn as the ruthless cop Nachiyappa brings menace, while veteran Vijayaraghavan’s narration of Chandra’s origin story is as impactful as the haunting visuals accompanying it.
Interestingly, though the film features a few high-profile cameos, they are woven into the narrative without overshadowing Chandra’s arc. Since these characters are expected to appear in later instalments, their true impact is yet to be judged.
Strengths and shortcomings
While Lokah succeeds on many fronts, it is not without flaws. Some comedy sequences in the first half feel stretched, and the dialogues occasionally lack a natural rhythm. The grey-shaded characters could have been written with greater nuance rather than remaining one-dimensional.
However, the positives outweigh these shortcomings. Nimish Ravi’s cinematography stands out, giving the film a striking visual language. Jakes Bejoy’s background score is both energetic and ethereal, elevating the superhero theme. The writers also deserve credit for portraying the “good” characters with dignity, offering them a refreshing moral depth.
Building a superhero universe
Ultimately, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is less about instant gratification and more about laying a foundation. Its strength lies in consistent and sincere world-building rather than flashy payoffs. While the pacing falters at times, the film keeps the audience engaged, ensuring that its vision of a Malayalam superhero cinematic universe feels both fresh and promising.
As the first instalment of what is expected to be a larger franchise, Lokah may not tick every box of a superhero blockbuster. But it succeeds where it matters most — by offering a homegrown, culturally rooted superhero story with scope for growth.