Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra Review: Malayalam cinema took a brave leap into the superhero world through Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. Directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films. Released on August 28, 2025, on the Wayfarer Cinematic Universe, this film introduces the audience to a new superhero story in which Priya plays a mysterious and powerful woman.
The fate of a perfect trio of friends is turned upside down when a new neighbor, Chandra (Kalyani Priyadarshan), moves into their otherwise aimless lives. She comes with a troubled past and unusual abilities, which are slowly revealed, drawing them into a shadow universe that runs parallel to everyday life. As secrets start unraveling, the friends discover that Chandra’s story is a portal through which larger, unseen forces shape their destiny. Mixing fantasy, dark comedy, and drama, the film lays out an ambitious foundation for future chapters.
Dominic Arun playfully toys with storytelling experimentation through tone – he juggles humor, emotion, and superhero tropes. The movie scales new heights not only in intense credit given to the creation of roots rather than aping the Hollywood superhero structure but also the following mile stones into a narrative that’s exceptionally Malayalam-centered. Chandra’s mysterious past goes well as much with the trio’s light-hearted journey. At times, however, the pacing feels jagged and weird.
Technically speaking, Nimish Ravi captures in grand detail Pune’s cityscape. And shadow universe sequences where the editor keeps the film visually sharp through the slow-paced beats. Jakes Bejoy’s score lifts those emotional beats and altogether black-and-white action sequences into epic flavor while being backed with guest composers DJ Sekhar and JK.
Kalyani Priyadarshan Having a solid screen presence has carried the film.
An ambitious attempt at creating a homegrown superhero universe.
Cinematography and production design which are visually stunning.
Freshness is brought by the supporting performances of Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen.
Also Read: Lokah: Top 7 Reasons to Watch Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Superhero Drama
The pacing isn’t consistent when it slows the first half.
The quality of VFX is inconsistent during some crucial action sequences.
Developments on some emotional arcs feel undercooked.
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is an ambitious beginning for the new cinematic universe. Propelled forward by engaging performance and Dominic Arun’s vision. Not perfect, but it definitely seems to bring something novel to the table for Malayalam cinema in terms of superhero experimentation. For fans of fantasy and bold storytelling, this film is worthy on the big screen.
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