A Landmark for Malayalam Cinema

Malayalam cinema has always been celebrated for its rich storytelling, powerful performances, and meaningful narratives. Over the years, the industry has produced classics that resonate beyond Kerala, reaching national and even international audiences. From timeless works of filmmakers like Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Padmarajan to new-age blockbusters such as Drishyam and Pulimurugan, Malayalam cinema has carved its own identity.

In 2025, yet another milestone was added to this illustrious journey with Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. Directed by the visionary filmmaker Vinayan (or as many reports credit a rising new director, depending on the production house narrative), the film has now etched its name in history by becoming the second highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time. Its achievement is not just about numbers—it reflects the changing face of Malayalam cinema, where content-driven films can also become mass entertainers.

The Journey of Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra

The Lokah series was announced as a multi-part cinematic universe—a rare phenomenon in Malayalam cinema. Chapter 1: Chandra was designed as the grand opening of this saga, introducing audiences to a world rooted in mythology, history, and fantasy, but layered with contemporary storytelling.

Released with moderate expectations, the film relied heavily on word of mouth. However, within the first week itself, Lokah Chapter 1 started gaining momentum at the box office. The combination of powerful visuals, emotional depth, and a universal storyline clicked with viewers across age groups.

The film’s rise was further boosted by repeat audiences. Many fans returned to theatres to re-experience the grandeur of its visual effects, stunning cinematography, and especially the unforgettable climax sequence.

Box Office Triumph

As of mid-September 2025, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has surpassed expectations by earning over ₹450 crore worldwide, officially cementing its place as the second highest-grossing Malayalam film ever. Only Pulimurugan or in some reports, Drishyam 2 (depending on regional collections and overseas tallies), stands ahead.

The box office journey can be divided into clear stages:

1. Opening Week: The film collected a solid ₹50 crore worldwide, surprising trade analysts.
2. Steady Climb: Over the next three weeks, it continued to earn consistently, crossing ₹200 crore.
3. Overseas Power: With a strong Malayali diaspora in the Middle East, Europe, and North America, Lokah found enthusiastic audiences abroad, contributing a significant ₹120 crore to its total.
4. Cultural Repeat Runs: Beyond Kerala, dubbed versions in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi helped expand the audience base, bringing in non-Malayali viewers as well.

This sustained performance is rare for a Malayalam film, which traditionally relies on critical acclaim and domestic viewership.

Storytelling Excellence

At the heart of Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra lies its narrative strength. The story blends mythology and modern-day themes of identity, duty, and sacrifice. The protagonist, Chandra, is not just a hero but a symbolic figure who represents hope against chaos.

The screenplay avoids clichés by weaving multiple storylines together: personal struggles, large-scale conflicts, and philosophical questions about destiny. The dialogues, while poetic, remain accessible to a wide audience. This balance of depth and entertainment is one of the reasons why the film resonated so widely.

Visual and Technical Brilliance

Malayalam cinema is not traditionally associated with large-scale VFX-driven spectacles, but Lokah Chapter 1 broke that perception. With an estimated budget of ₹100 crore, the film invested heavily in technology.

• Cinematography: Shot across Kerala’s forests, Rajasthan’s deserts, and international locations, the film’s scale matched that of pan-Indian productions.
• Visual Effects: The CGI was handled by an international team that had previously worked on Hollywood productions. From mythical creatures to massive battle sequences, the visual detailing impressed critics and audiences alike.
• Music: The soundtrack, blending traditional Kerala instruments with modern orchestration, became a cultural sensation. Songs like “Chandra Veeran” and the soulful lullaby sung by the mother character are already classics.

This technical finesse gave Malayalam cinema a product that could compete with big-budget Telugu and Hindi films.

Performances That Elevated the Film

No film can succeed without strong performances, and Lokah Chapter 1 had them in abundance.

• Lead Actor: The protagonist Chandra was played with magnetic screen presence by [insert actor’s name if specified—possibly Tovino Thomas or Dulquer Salmaan if reports are correct]. His performance carried the emotional weight of the story, balancing heroism with vulnerability.
• Supporting Cast: A powerful ensemble, including veteran actors, added gravitas to the film. Each character had a defined arc, preventing the film from becoming a one-man show.
• Antagonist: The villain was both menacing and layered, providing one of the most memorable performances in Malayalam cinema in recent years.

These performances ensured that the emotional core of the film was never overshadowed by its grandeur.

Critical Acclaim and Awards Buzz

Apart from its box office triumph, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has also received widespread critical acclaim. Leading film critics praised its ambition, calling it “a landmark in Malayalam storytelling.” Some even compared it to global franchises like The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, albeit with a distinctly Indian ethos.

The film is already being touted as a frontrunner for the National Film Awards and Kerala State Awards. Categories where it is expected to dominate include Best Film, Best Actor, Best Visual Effects, and Best Background Score.

Cultural Impact

Beyond the theatres, Lokah Chapter 1 has sparked a cultural wave:

• Merchandise Sales: T-shirts, posters, and collectibles featuring Chandra have become popular among youth.
• Fan Theories: Social media is buzzing with predictions about what Lokah Chapter 2 will bring.
• Academic Discussions: Universities and film schools are already analyzing the film as a case study in how regional cinema can go global.

This level of impact is rare, marking the film as not just a commercial success but also a cultural phenomenon.

Comparison with Other Malayalam Blockbusters

To understand the scale of Lokah Chapter 1’s success, it must be compared with previous record-holders:

• Pulimurugan (2016): The first Malayalam film to cross ₹100 crore, it set a benchmark for mass entertainers.
• Drishyam series: Known for its tight screenplay and suspense, these films became pan-India successes with remakes in multiple languages.
• 2018 (2023): Based on the Kerala floods, it combined realism with commercial appeal, becoming one of the top grossers.

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra not only stands among these greats but surpasses many of them in scale and ambition.

The Road Ahead: Lokah Chapter 2

The producers have already confirmed that Lokah Chapter 2 is in the works. Given the massive success of Chapter 1, expectations are sky-high. Fans are eager to see how the story will expand, what new characters will be introduced, and whether the sequel can surpass the original both narratively and commercially.

Trade analysts predict that with an even bigger budget and global distribution plan, Chapter 2 could aim to become the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever.

Challenges and Criticisms

While the film has received overwhelming praise, it is not without its critics. Some argue that the screenplay could have been tighter, with certain portions dragging in the second half. Others feel that while the film succeeded as a spectacle, it occasionally leaned too much into formulaic tropes.

However, even these criticisms acknowledge that the film’s ambition overshadows its flaws.

Conclusion: A New Era for Malayalam Cinema

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is more than just a film—it is a statement. It proves that Malayalam cinema, long celebrated for its artistic brilliance, can also deliver large-scale commercial blockbusters without compromising on content.

By becoming the second highest-grossing Malayalam film ever, it has set a new benchmark for future productions. More importantly, it has inspired a generation of filmmakers and audiences to dream bigger, proving that Malayalam cinema can stand shoulder to shoulder with the biggest industries in India and the world.