Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra- Is it just another flashy experiment, or has Malayalam cinema created a new kind of epic worth talking about?
If you’ve been following Malayalam cinema, you’ll know it has never shied away from experimenting with bold ideas. From gritty thrillers to heartfelt dramas, the industry has consistently proven that great stories can be told without a Hollywood budget. But every now and then, a film comes along that feels like it is trying to carve out a new lane altogether. Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra is exactly that kind of film. It doesn’t hesitate to dip its toes into uncharted territory, something Indian cinema has never explored before (we don’t know why though!) The film dives headfirst into creating a mythic, larger-than-life narrative inspired by folklore, fiction, and the kind of supernatural elements usually reserved for big-budget Western blockbusters. So, is the movie really worth watching? Read on to know more.
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A Brave Attempt at Vampire Cinema in India
Let’s be honest. India isn’t exactly known for supernatural films. And talking about vampires, we don’t even remember when we last saw one. So, to see a Malayalam film walk in confidently with a vampire-superhero hybrid, backed by Dulquer Salmaan and led by Kalyani Priyadarshan, is already a win. The risk alone deserves applause.
And the good news? It pays off. The film never feels like an experiment gone wrong. We know how India has always failed in the superhero genre… But here? Technically, Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra is solid, with cinematography, production design, and music working hand in hand to create an eerie yet stylish world. Even viewers who walked in with skepticism found themselves staying glued till the end without indulging themselves with popcorn.
The Story: Familiar Yet Engaging
Now, don’t expect something extremely mind-blowing like you saw in earlier Christopher Nolan films. If you’ve seen a few superhero origin tales, you can probably guess where certain plot points are headed. Yes, the storyline is somewhat predictable. But here’s the thing: predictability doesn’t always mean boring. The emotional beats, folklore elements, and supernatural elements keep things engaging enough that you don’t really mind seeing where it’s going.
Despite being able to guess some turns, you will most likely still connect to the characters and get invested emotionally enough to ride it out till the credits rolled. It’s the kind of film where you sit back, smile, and think, “Okay, I’ve seen bits of this before, but it’s being told well.
Another pleasant surprise is that the film steers clear of the political agendas that creep into many movies today, especially in Malayalam cinema. Instead, the film draws from history and mythology to enrich its story. Even with a female lead, it doesn’t try to wave any anti-male slogans, it simply tells a tale that works on its own merits.
Kalyani Priyadarshan Sinks Her Teeth Into It
The heart of the movie is Kalyani Priyadarshan as Chandra. Critics, fans and co-stars have showered praise on her performance, and rightly so. She manages to look convincing both as a mythical vampire figure and as a character who’s grounded in emotional conflicts. Confident, stylish, and carrying the film with surprising weight, Kalyani proves she’s more than capable of leading a high-concept movie like this.
Her co-stars, including Naslen, do a commendable job too. Nobody looks out of place, and considering the budget was nowhere near Marvel-level superhero blockbusters, the cast and crew pulled off something impressive.
Technical Brilliance Without Losing Soul
One of the standout aspects is the technical craft. The cinematography by Nimish Ravi is moody and striking. The lighting and production design add layers of atmosphere that make the world feel eerie, with a supernatural vibe. Jakes Bejoy’s background score matches the tone, moving between eerie and grand without being intrusive.
This is one of those films where you feel the budget limitations, but you also respect how the team stretched every rupee. Instead of relying on cheap gimmicks, they doubled down on style, visuals, and storytelling. You walk out feeling like you’ve seen something extremely polished, not patched together.
The Bumps Along the Way
Of course, not everything is perfect. The pacing, particularly in the opening segments, could test your patience. Some critics felt the first thirty minutes were a bit slow, and a few scenes in the second half could have been tighter. The screenplay sometimes tries too hard to set up a future franchise, or a vampire universe, something which Indian films have been trying a lot recently. It tries to throw in hints, cameos, and world-building when the standalone story could have been enough.
It’s like nobody’s content with a solid standalone film anymore. Everything has to be part of a bigger franchise, even if it feels forced. But these flaws don’t derail the film or make it bad. They’re more like minor hiccups on an otherwise smooth ride. If anything, they show that the ambition might have slightly outweighed the execution, which isn’t the worst problem for a debut chapter in a larger universe.
A Step Forward for Malayalam Cinema
The most exciting part of Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra isn’t just the film itself but what it represents. Malayalam cinema, known for experimentation, has now entered the supernatural-superhero lane with a bang. It’s not easy to merge folklore with pop-culture sensibilities, yet this movie manages to do it without feeling silly or out of place.
For viewers, it’s a chance to experience something different – a vampire saga rooted in local tradition and culture, rather than just copying Western clichés. For the industry, it’s proof that ambitious genre films can be made without losing authenticity.
Final Bite
So, what’s the verdict? Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra is not flawless, but it’s brave, entertaining, and technically well-made. Even with a somewhat predictable storyline, it keeps you engaged and proves that vampires can exist in Indian cinema without turning into unintentional comedy.
Rating : 8 out of 10 stars
You can also check out our review of The Bengal Files, if you are considering watching it.
