The Malayalam superhero drama Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, continues its record-breaking run at the Indian box office. On its 24th day, the film witnessed a massive jump of 85% on its fourth Saturday, collecting ₹3.15 crore and pushing its total to ₹133.65 crore in India. With strong weekend momentum, the film now has its eyes firmly set on the ₹150 crore milestone.
A New Era for Malayalam Cinema
Lokah: Chapter 1 isn’t just another box office hit — it has redefined what a Malayalam film can achieve. The movie has already become the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time and the highest-earning female-centric film in Indian cinema history.
For years, big box office records in India were dominated by Bollywood, Telugu, and Tamil cinema. Lokah has changed the narrative, proving that Malayalam films too can deliver blockbuster-scale success while staying rooted in powerful storytelling.
4th Saturday Surge
- Morning shows: 27.54%
- Afternoon shows: 42.57%
- Evening shows: 51.91%
- Night shows: 69.50%
The evening and night shows carried the biggest surge, showcasing how strong positive word-of-mouth continues to fuel the film nearly a month after release.
Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Career-Defining Role
At the heart of Lokah’s success is Kalyani Priyadarshan, who has emerged as one of the strongest female leads in contemporary Indian cinema. Her portrayal of Chandra, a young woman discovering extraordinary powers while navigating personal struggles, has struck a chord with audiences across demographics.
Fans have praised her performance for combining vulnerability with strength — a refreshing shift from typical superhero tropes. Lokah has cemented Kalyani’s status as a bankable star capable of carrying large-scale productions on her shoulders.
Producer Dulquer Salmaan on Lokah’s Phenomenon
Producer Dulquer Salmaan, who also makes a special appearance in the film, called Lokah’s success unlike anything he had experienced before. “Even as an actor, none of my films have exploded like this. It has crossed demographics and become part of pop culture,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
Dulquer added that audiences embraced the film from day one, with reviews, reels, and discussions flooding social media — evidence that fresh storytelling continues to resonate deeply with viewers.
The Power of Storytelling and World-Building
Directed by Dominic Arun, Lokah blends mythology, action, and fantasy into a unique superhero origin story. The film features Naslen K. Gafoor, Sandy Master, Arun Kurian, and Vijayaraghavan in key roles, while Tovino Thomas appears as Chathan in a guest role and Dulquer plays Odiyan.
Dominic has already confirmed that the sequel will expand Tovino’s character arc, while the third installment will centre around Dulquer’s Odiyan. The structured franchise planning has created buzz similar to global cinematic universes, giving Malayalam cinema its first homegrown superhero saga.
Audience Response and Cultural Impact
The response to Lokah has gone far beyond theatres. Social media platforms are filled with fan art, fan theories, and celebratory posts about Chandra’s character. For many, Lokah represents a cultural shift, proving that regional cinema can match — and even surpass — the scale of pan-India blockbusters.
Its rise also reflects a growing appetite for female-led narratives that combine mass entertainment with layered storytelling.
Quick Takeaway
- Day 24 Collection: ₹3.15 crore, total ₹133.65 crore in India.
- 4th Saturday Growth: 85% surge with strong occupancies.
- Milestone Ahead: Poised to cross the ₹150 crore mark.
- Records Broken: Highest-grossing Malayalam film & female-led Indian film.
- Franchise Future: Sequels with Tovino Thomas and Dulquer Salmaan confirmed.
Conclusion
With Lokah: Chapter 1, Malayalam cinema has entered a new league of box office dominance. Kalyani Priyadarshan’s breakthrough role, Dominic Arun’s ambitious storytelling, and the support of producer-actor Dulquer Salmaan have together crafted not just a blockbuster but a cultural phenomenon.
As the film races towards the ₹150 crore milestone, it’s clear that Lokah is more than just a movie — it’s a movement that expands the horizons of regional cinema and places Malayalam storytelling firmly on the global map.
