Thiruvananthapuram: Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, the latest superhero drama directed by Dominic Arun, has emerged as the biggest Onam winner at the Kerala box office. Starring Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen, the film has received highly positive reviews and strong word-of-mouth, placing it ahead of Mohanlal’s festive release Hridayapoorvam.
Lokah Chapter 1 box office performance
According to early estimates from Sacnilk, Lokah Chapter 1 collected ₹4.94 crore on Day 3 (Saturday), bringing its total to ₹11.64 crore. The film showed consistent growth over its opening weekend.
- Day 1 (Thursday): ₹2.7 crore
- Day 2 (Friday): ₹4 crore
- Day 3 (Saturday): ₹4.94 crore
The film’s rising collections are being credited to its unique storytelling and the buzz created on social media. Audiences have praised the film for offering a refreshing experience compared to many recent big-budget pan-India productions.
Hridayapoorvam holds steady
While Lokah Chapter 1 continues to dominate, Mohanlal’s Hridayapoorvam has also attracted steady footfalls. On Day 3, the family dramedy collected ₹2.71 crore, a slight increase from ₹2.5 crore on Day 2, taking its total to ₹8.46 crore.
Trade analysts noted that although Hridayapoorvam may not match Lokah in scale, its emotional connect with family audiences has ensured consistent collections.
Industry response and Telugu release
The Telugu version of Lokah Chapter 1 is being released by producer Naga Vamsi of Sithara Entertainments. Sharing his excitement on X (formerly Twitter), he said:
“Absolutely loved #KothaLokah… a film that grips you till the final frame! @dominicarun’s vision, @NimishRavi’s camera work and @jakes_bejoy’s score set the tone perfectly. @kalyanipriyan brings Chandra to life with grace and power, while @naslen__ keeps the fun alive. Congratulations @dulQuer garu on delivering a BLOCKBUSTER that leaves fans charged up for the #Lokah Universe!”
Industry experts believe the Telugu release could further add to the film’s pan-India appeal, given the increasing crossover audience for Malayalam cinema.
Lokah vs Hridayapoorvam: Day-wise box office comparison
| Day | Lokah Chapter 1 | Hridayapoorvam |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | ₹2.7 crore | ₹3.25 crore |
| Day 2 | ₹4 crore | ₹2.5 crore |
| Day 3 | ₹4.94 crore | ₹2.71 crore |
| Total | ₹11.64 crore | ₹8.46 crore |
The data reflects how Lokah Chapter 1 picked up momentum after its opening day, while Hridayapoorvam has remained steady with family-driven audiences.
What lies ahead
With Onam holidays continuing and positive reviews sustaining interest, Lokah Chapter 1 is expected to maintain strong momentum in its first week. The film has also sparked excitement about the Lokah cinematic universe, which is expected to expand with future chapters.
Meanwhile, Hridayapoorvam is expected to perform steadily, appealing mainly to family audiences. The coming week will determine whether both films can continue to coexist successfully at the Kerala box office.
Conclusion
Lokah Chapter 1 has clearly emerged as the frontrunner of this year’s Onam releases, both in terms of box office numbers and audience reception. Its success reaffirms Malayalam cinema’s growing ambition in the superhero genre while also setting the stage for more chapters in the franchise.