Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (2025) Movie ft. Sandy, Kalyani, and Naslen
Malayalam cinema enters the superhero genre with Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, bringing Kerala folklore into a fresh modern setting. Dominic Arun directs this fantasy action film, produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films. The movie introduces Chandra, a woman with powers beyond ordinary human abilities.
Kalyani Priyadarshan leads the cast with Naslen and Sandy Master, while Tovino Thomas and Dulquer Salmaan make special appearances. Released during Onam 2025 on August 28, the 151-minute film blends action, fantasy, and traditional tales into something genuinely different from what we’ve seen before.
A Woman With Ancient Secrets
Chandra arrives in Bangalore with red hair and a mysterious aura, taking night shifts at a local café. Sunny lives across the street with his buddies Venu and Nigel. He notices something unusual about this new neighbor. His curiosity grows after she saves his life one night.
What Sunny discovers changes everything. Chandra is actually Kalliyankattu Neeli, a being who has walked the earth for centuries. When enemies threaten her survival, she must fight back using her supernatural abilities. I really enjoyed how the director slowly peels back layers of her identity without rushing the reveals.
Kalyani Takes Center Stage
This is Kalyani Priyadarshan’s finest work yet. She transforms into Chandra completely, showing both fierce strength and quiet vulnerability. Her action scenes feel real and powerful. I was impressed by how she handled the emotional depth of playing someone carrying centuries of pain. She owns every frame she’s in.
Naslen makes Sunny likeable and relatable. His natural comic timing brings lightness when things get too intense. Sandy Master creates a genuinely threatening villain as Nachiyappan, the arrogant cop. Everyone in the cast brings their A-game, making the supernatural world feel grounded.
Technical Brilliance On Display
The visual design transports you into another world. Bangalore becomes this neon-lit place where mythical beings hide in plain sight. Nimish Ravi’s camera work captures stunning shots, from intimate close-ups to wide action sequences. The red and blue color scheme creates a distinct visual style that stays with you.
Jakes Bejoy’s background score elevates every scene. Each character gets their own musical theme, and Chandra’s motif is particularly memorable. The action choreography deserves special mention, especially the flashback fight sequences. Everything technical comes together to support the story rather than overpower it.
Some Rough Edges Remain
The movie’s first half builds mystery perfectly, but things shift gears in the second half. It falls into familiar superhero patterns that we’ve seen before. Some emotional beats needed more time to breathe. I felt certain character moments were rushed when they deserved fuller development.
Venu and Nigel work well as supporting characters, but they stay pretty one-dimensional. Giving them stronger individual arcs would have enriched the story. The editing sometimes lets action scenes run a bit too long. Tighter cuts in places would have maintained better momentum throughout.
Strong Response From Viewers
The New Indian Express awarded it 3.5 out of 5 stars, praising its bold vision for Malayalam cinema. On IMDb, audiences gave it 8.1 out of 10 from more than 9,500 ratings. People connected strongly with the visual storytelling and performances.
Critics from Onmanorama highlighted the effective world-building and how it lays groundwork for future films. The Hollywood Reporter India appreciated the feminist angle in retelling folklore. While reviewers noted imperfections, most agreed the film represents a major step forward for regional superhero stories.
Worth Your Time
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra marks something special for Malayalam cinema. Kalyani Priyadarshan delivers a career-defining performance, supported by confident direction and stunning technical execution. Sure, the pacing stumbles occasionally, but the creativity and ambition shine through those minor issues.
This film shows that regional movies can craft superhero narratives rooted in local culture while speaking to universal themes. Taking folklore and giving it a contemporary feminist perspective makes Lokah stand apart. The foundation is strong for what might become one of Indian cinema’s most exciting series.
Rating: 4 out of 5
