Malayalam cinema has always been respected for telling meaningful stories and experimenting with new ideas. In 2025, the industry took a bold step by introducing its first female superhero film, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. Starring Kalyani Priyadarshan in the lead role, the film has now become a big success, even performing better than superstar Mohanlal’s movie Hridayapoorvam.
Lokah Outshines Mohanlal With First Female Superhero
For years, superhero films in India mostly focused on male characters, often inspired by Western cinema. Lokah changed that by creating a strong woman hero who could fight, perform stunts, and lead a story on her own. Kalyani plays Chandra, a powerful character who is not a damsel in distress but someone who takes charge and completes her mission fearlessly.
Her character has been described as a “shero” – a female hero who inspires audiences just like her male counterparts. Along with Kalyani, young actress Durga C Vinod also impressed viewers with her role as the younger version of Neeli in flashback scenes.
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What makes Lokah different is the way it mixes Western superhero style with Indian folklore. Director Dominic Arun used elements of Kalliyankattu Neeli’s legend to give the film a local flavor while keeping it exciting for global audiences. This unique blend makes Lokah stand out from other superhero films.
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The film is not just a single story but the beginning of a larger superhero universe. With Chandra as the starting point, the filmmakers have opened doors for more characters and stories in future films. This style of world-building is similar to Hollywood superhero franchises but rooted in Indian culture.
By the fifth day of release, Lokah collected nearly ₹30 crore, proving that audiences are ready to embrace fresh stories. Its success is even more special because it was released alongside Mohanlal’s Hridayapoorvam, a safe family drama, yet managed to attract more attention.
Lokah’s victory is not only about box office numbers. It shows that audiences want new ideas and are willing to support female-led stories. The film has set a milestone for Malayalam cinema and created hope for more experimental projects in the future.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
