Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra – A New Era of Superheroes in Malayalam Cinema

August 28, 2025 admin

Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language superhero film that marks the ambitious beginning of the Wayfarer Cinematic Universe (WCU). Directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan under his banner Wayfarer Films, the film introduces audiences to a world of folklore-inspired heroes, blending mythology, culture, and modern-day storytelling.

Frontlined by Kalyani Priyadarshan as the titular superheroine Chandra / Kalliyankattu Neeli and Naslen as Sunny, the movie also boasts an ensemble of both established stars and exciting new talents. With its rich production scale, deep-rooted cultural references, and high-octane action sequences, the film has already been hailed as the first true superhero saga from Malayalam cinema.

Release Date and Streaming Details

The film was released worldwide in theaters on 28 August 2025, receiving simultaneous premieres in Kerala, major Indian metros, and select overseas markets. While the theatrical experience remains its prime focus, reports suggest that Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra will stream on a leading OTT platform by late 2025, opening the gates for global audiences to witness the birth of Mollywood’s first cinematic universe.

Plot

The story follows Chandra, an ordinary young woman who embraces the identity of Kalliyankattu Neeli, a figure drawn from Kerala’s folklore. Her journey from being a village protector to a superheroine battling modern-day evils sets the foundation for the expansive Wayfarer Cinematic Universe. Alongside her, Sunny (Naslen) brings in a modern, youthful perspective, while shadowy forces led by King Gajendran (Shivajith Padmanabhan) test Chandra’s powers and resilience.

The film weaves a thrilling mix of myth, folklore, and superhero elements, blending Kerala’s cultural identity with the universal appeal of a larger-than-life action fantasy.

Cast and Characters

Kalyani Priyadarshan as Chandra / Kalliyankattu Neeli – the film’s central superheroine.
Naslen as Sunny – her loyal ally and friend.
Sandy Master as Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda.
Arun Kurian as Naijil.
Chandu Salimkumar as Venu.
Nishanth Sagar as Prakash, Moothon’s helper.
Raghunath Paleri in a supporting role.
Vijayaraghavan as Daniel.
Shivajith Padmanabhan as Gajendran / King.
Anna Ben as Sunny’s ex-girlfriend.
Nithya Shri and Sarath Sabha in key supporting roles.

The film also delights fans with multiple cameos:

Tovino Thomas as Chathan (extended cameo).
Sunny Wayne as Kathanar (cameo).
Dulquer Salmaan as an unnamed vigilante.
Mammootty lending his voice as Moothon.
Brief appearances by Soubin Shahir, Balu Varghese, Ahaana Krishna, and Santhy Balachandran.

Production Journey

Lokah Chapter: 1 Chandra is the seventh production venture of Wayfarer Films and arguably its most ambitious. Pre-production kicked off on 13 September 2024, followed by a grand muhurat pooja on 12 September 2024. Shooting wrapped in January 2025 after an extensive 94-day schedule.

Director Dominic Arun, best known for Tharangam (2017), envisioned this project as early as 2020, emphasizing organic development rather than token representation. The screenplay also saw contributions from Santhy Balachandran, ensuring depth in character writing.

The technical team includes:

Nimish Ravi – Cinematography
Chaman Chakko – Editing
Jakes Bejoy – Music
Banglan – Production Design
Yannick Ben – Action Choreography
Melwy J. & Archana Akhil Rao – Costume Design

With this lineup, the film presents a slick, culturally rich, and technically polished cinematic experience.

Music and Soundtrack

The promotional song “Thani Lokah Murakkaari”, sung by Jyoti Nooran of the Nooran Sisters in her Malayalam debut, has already created buzz. The track, composed by Jakes Bejoy, features rap segments by Reble and lyrics penned by Muhsin Parari (under his pseudonym Mu.Ri). The fusion of folk and contemporary soundscapes reflects the movie’s theme of blending tradition with modern heroism.

Why This Film Matters

Marks the beginning of the Wayfarer Cinematic Universe (WCU).
First Malayalam film to introduce a female-led superhero franchise.
Connects Kerala’s folklore with a globally relatable superhero narrative.
Features high-profile cameos from leading stars, teasing the potential of future crossovers.

With Lokah Chapter: 1 Chandra, Malayalam cinema takes a bold leap into the world of superheroes. Rooted in local myths but executed with global cinematic flair, the film has already set the stage for a multi-film saga. Whether you’re a fan of folklore, action, or simply love seeing cultural stories adapted into modern epics, this movie promises to be a milestone in Indian cinema.