The Malayalam film industry has witnessed a spectacular moment in cinema history. Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, has set the box office on fire in just four days of release. Blending superhero spectacle with deep cultural roots, the Dominic Arun directorial is not only shattering records domestically but also creating waves overseas.
With its powerful opening weekend performance, Lokah Chapter 1 has already achieved what many films struggle to accomplish over their entire run—it crossed the ₹60 crore worldwide milestone in just four days, surpassing the lifetime collection of Mohanlal’s cult classic Drishyam (2013). Let’s break down the phenomenal performance, critical response, and future trajectory of this landmark superhero film.
Lokah Chapter 1 Box Office Day 4: A Strong Opening Weekend
The film’s journey began with decent occupancy on Day 1, but thanks to exceptional word-of-mouth, it saw exponential growth over the weekend.
- Day 1 (Thursday): The superhero epic had a steady start, collecting around ₹2.6 crore net in India.
- Day 2 (Friday): Word-of-mouth kicked in, boosting collections to nearly ₹5.5 crore net.
- Day 3 (Saturday): The film maintained momentum with a further jump, adding ₹7.2 crore net.
- Day 4 (Sunday): The biggest single-day haul so far, bringing in an impressive ₹10 crore net.
By the end of its first extended weekend:
- India Net Collection: ₹24.3 crore
- India Gross Collection: ₹28.4 crore
- Overseas Collection: $4 million (approx. ₹35 crore)
- Worldwide Total: ₹63.4 crore
This figure places Lokah Chapter 1 among the top 25 highest-grossing Malayalam films worldwide—a remarkable achievement in less than a week.
Overseas Dominance: Breaking New Ground
While domestic collections have been strong, the international response has been phenomenal. The Indian diaspora in North America, the Middle East, and Europe flocked to theatres, with several multiplex chains reporting sold-out shows.
- In the USA and Canada, the film grossed over $2.1 million within four days.
- In the Middle East, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the film became the top non-English release of the weekend.
- In UK and Australia, niche but passionate audiences turned out in big numbers, pushing the overseas tally higher.
At ₹35 crore overseas gross, the film is performing better internationally than many pan-India Hindi releases, showing the global pull of regional cinema when packaged with universal themes.
Beating Drishyam: A Historic Milestone
One of the most talked-about achievements of Lokah Chapter 1 is that it has already outgrossed the lifetime worldwide collection of Mohanlal’s 2013 blockbuster Drishyam, which earned around ₹62 crore.
Crossing this benchmark not only establishes Lokah as a global Malayalam hit but also signals a new era for superhero-based storytelling in Indian cinema. The film now has its sights set on the ₹100 crore mark, a milestone that very few Malayalam films have crossed.
Can Lokah Chapter 1 Enter the ₹100 Crore Club?
Industry experts believe that if the current momentum continues, the film will comfortably cross the ₹100 crore worldwide mark within the next 10–12 days. Strong weekdays are crucial, but with stellar word-of-mouth and a lack of major competition in its immediate release window, the film has a clear runway.
The bigger question is whether Lokah Chapter 1 can challenge the all-time Malayalam record set by Prithviraj Sukumaran’s L2: Empuraan, which earned ₹267 crore worldwide. While reaching that figure may be difficult, trade analysts are confident that Lokah will finish among the top five highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
Critical Acclaim: “Best of the Decade”
Box office numbers aside, the film has earned extraordinary praise from both critics and audiences. Many reviewers have hailed it as not just the best Indian film of 2025 but also a potential defining film of the decade.
Key highlights from reviews include:
- Visual Effects: Critics praised the seamless blending of VFX with live-action, calling it groundbreaking for Malayalam cinema.
- Cultural Fusion: The film smartly merges Indian folklore, mythology, and sci-fi elements to create a unique superhero origin story.
- Performances: Kalyani Priyadarshan’s portrayal of Chandra has been called career-defining, with praise also going to supporting actors like Naslen and Sandy.
- Direction: Dominic Arun’s vision to launch a “Malayalam cinematic universe” has been widely appreciated.
On social media, hashtags like #LokahChapter1 and #ChandraSuperhero have trended continuously since release, further boosting audience curiosity.
About Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra
Directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan under his Wayfarer Films banner, the movie is not just a standalone superhero film—it is meant to be the first entry in the Wayfarer Cinematic Universe (WCU).
The film stars:
- Kalyani Priyadarshan as Chandra, the central superhero character.
- Naslen and Sandy in pivotal supporting roles.
- Arun Kurian, Chandu Salimkumar, Nishanth Sagar, Raghunath Paleri, Vijayaraghavan, Nithya Shri, and Sarath Sabha in ensemble roles.
The movie’s genre is a mix of superhero, sci-fi, horror, and folklore fantasy, offering something fresh to audiences accustomed to formulaic commercial cinema.
Why Lokah Chapter 1 Resonates With Audiences
- A Strong Female Superhero: Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Chandra is being celebrated as the first Malayalam female-led superhero, a refreshing change in an industry often dominated by male protagonists.
- Universal Storytelling: By blending local mythology with universal superhero tropes, the film appeals not just to regional audiences but also to global viewers.
- High Production Values: Unlike many regional superhero attempts, Lokah doesn’t compromise on technical brilliance. From cinematography to VFX, the film stands on par with international projects.
- Cinematic Universe Ambition: Audiences love interconnected storytelling. By promising future films under the WCU, Lokah has sparked massive curiosity for what comes next.
Industry Impact: Raising the Bar for Malayalam Cinema
Lokah Chapter 1 proves that Malayalam cinema—long known for its strong narratives and realistic filmmaking—can also compete in the high-budget fantasy and superhero genre. The film’s success could pave the way for:
- More big-budget experimental projects in regional cinema.
- Pan-India releases of Malayalam films with global marketing strategies.
- Collaboration between regional and international studios for superhero sagas.
This shift mirrors what happened with Baahubali in Telugu cinema or KGF in Kannada cinema, both of which redefined their industries on a global scale.
Audience Reactions: From Nostalgia to New Fandom
On Day 4, theatres were packed not just with young fans but also families and older audiences. Viewers shared reactions like:
- “Finally, a superhero who feels Indian but also universal.”
- “Kalyani Priyadarshan nailed it—Chandra is iconic.”
- “The best Malayalam film I’ve ever seen in theatres.”
Online, fan art, cosplay attempts, and theories about the future of the WCU are already trending, showing the movie’s growing cultural footprint.
What’s Next for the Wayfarer Cinematic Universe?
The success of Lokah Chapter 1 ensures that sequels and spin-offs are already in demand. Rumors suggest that Dominic Arun and Dulquer Salmaan have planned at least three interconnected films leading up to a massive crossover event.
Fans are speculating whether Dulquer himself might appear as a superhero in future chapters, potentially making WCU a multi-hero franchise akin to Marvel or DC.
Final Verdict: A New Era Has Begun
In just four days, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has not only broken records but also reshaped expectations from Malayalam cinema. With ₹63 crore already in its kitty, it has surpassed Drishyam and is on course for the ₹100 crore club.
The combination of a female superhero, cutting-edge VFX, and a cinematic universe promise makes this film more than just a box office hit—it’s a cultural milestone.
As the Wayfarer Cinematic Universe begins, one thing is clear: Indian cinema has found its first true superhero saga rooted in folklore yet global in appeal.