'Lokah Chapter 1' is a pan-Indian hit: What's the story
Lokah Chapter 1 - Chandra, produced by Dulquer Salmaan, is making waves for its gripping story and the introduction of Malayalam cinema's first female superhero.
The film's lead character, Chandra—rooted in Aithihyamala folktales—has connected with audiences beyond Kerala, including Telugu and Hindi viewers.
Santhy Balachandran's narrative magic
Santhy Balachandran, originally an actor from Kottayam with an anthropology background from Oxford, co-wrote the film and helped shape its fresh narrative.
Her move into screenwriting has drawn praise from peers like Kalyani Priyadarshan, who called her the "biggest creative force" behind the film.
The film's impressive ₹24.30cr box office in just days highlights how Balachandran's storytelling is pushing Malayalam cinema into exciting new territory.