Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra – Review & Rating

stry has for long dreamed of producing a superhero saga of global standards. While most recent attempts have attempted to do this by depending extensively on visual effects and mythological references, they tended to fall short of that great storytelling ethos. Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, directed by Dominic Arun, is evidence that the answer does not lie entirely with expensive CGI but in developing a narrative that is emotionally solid, culturally rooted, and fleshed out by characters.

A New Heroine in Familiar Myths

The film introduces us to Chandra (Kalyani Priyadarshan), a woman who comes back to India after years in Sweden. She appears like just another young urban professional forging a life for herself in Bengaluru at first glance. But we quickly discover about her strange curse—she cannot enter sunlight because her skin literally scalds the moment she is under it. Her nights are her freedom; her days, her imprisonment.

Gradually, the film strips away the reality: Chandra is indeed Kalliyankattu Neeli, one of Kerala's best-known yakshis from legend. Far from the popular images of Neeli as an evil spirit, Dominic Arun re-imagine her as a misunderstood protector. She transforms into a force for justice, an individual who battles for the marginalized and the oppressed. This feminist reinterpretation not only supersedes convention but also bestows Indian cinema with its first fully realized female superhero.

Grounded Storytelling, and Not Blind Mythology

Where Lokah succeeds is in refusing to succumb to the temptation to blind copy-paste gods, rituals, and mythologies as shortcuts for grandeur. Instead, the screenplay anchors the story in socio-political history, tribal heritage, and lived reality of marginalized folks. Through this, it offers a fantasy film that is real, relatable, and respectful of cultural memory.

Contrary to Kalki 2898 AD or Brahmāstra, which attempted to wow with interstellar references and costly action, Lokah is aware that spectacle without emotion is fleeting. In this one, spectacle and emotion are both included, in careful equipoise.

Technical Excellence with a Goal

One of the best things about the movie is how the technical team is harmoniously integrated. Cinematographer Nimish Ravi uses a rich and muted color palette that suits the mysterious mood of the story. His camera never tries to over-romanticize Bengaluru but instead blends the city into the life of Chandra at night. Editor Chaman Chakko is rhythmic and varying, depending on the need of the scene—sometimes frenetic and chaotic, and at other times calm and reflective.

The visual grandeur is supplemented by equally sharp writing. Additional screenplay work from Santhy Balachandran provides emotional authenticity. Despite the over-powering special effects, the audience is never lost, as human emotions remain at the center. The action choreography by Yannick Ben, especially in the pre-interval flashback where Chandra's back-story meets modern-day action, is a stand-out in itself that compares with some of the best global superhero films.

Characters That Haunt

Kalyani Priyadarshan delivers one of her finest performances by remaining focused on body presence and action rather than over-extending her dramatic range. The director wisely plays to her strengths, and she effortlessly carries the role.

Naslen, as Sunny, is a revelation once more. His ability to balance comedy and seriousness gives much of the film its charm. His chemistry with Kalyani and Chandu Salimkumar feels spontaneous, which makes their interactions quite engaging.

Chandu Salimkumar is great as Venu, proving that he is capable of doing beyond in the shadow of his father, standup comedian Salim Kumar.

Sandy Master, as Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda, is terrifying. As the misogynistic, corrupt cop who later gains powers similar to Chandra's, he is the perfect villain. His character is expertly developed, and his transformation into a supervillain is both credible and fear-inducing.

The Strengths and the Weaknesses

The film launches with a very solid beginning, creating suspense and tension perfectly. The first half is tight, heavy, and emotionally charged. The second half does feel a little bogged down with too many strands, though. There's romance for Chandra and Sunny, flashbacks to past lives, and hints at future universe characters that pack out the story. Some of the subplots get shortchanged, and there are some pacing issues that rear their head from time to time.

But the Tovino Thomas as Chaathan appearance and the flashbacks with Sunny Wayne as Kathanar do get the audience involved, dropping clues about what the future holds for the Wayfarer Cinematic Universe. The post-credits Dulquer Salmaan appearance as Odiyan verifies the ambitious vision of the movie.

Music and Atmosphere

Special mention must be made of Jakes Bejoy's score. The music not only perfects the film's dark, folkloric tone but also imparts to it a personal identity. The most memorable of all was the party scene where Chandra arrives in white at "Kiliye Kiliye," blending nostalgia with cinematic grandeur.

Final Verdict

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is a bold, original, and earthy superhero film that redefines Indian fantasy cinema. It does something rare by combining folklore with feminism, humor with horror, and spectacle with sensitivity: it makes you think as much as it makes you laugh.

Despite all the rushed feel of its second half, the film is a benchmark for others to follow. It shows Indian filmmakers that grandness is not in the expenditure of money on CGI or banking entirely on mythology, but in constructing a world that is alive, emotional, and meaningful.

With Naslen and Kalyani Priyadarshan on board, Dominic Arun's fantasy marks the beginning of an extremely exciting new cinematic universe. If subsequent instalments remain on this note without succumbing to market pressures, Malayalam cinema could very likely have provided India with its first world-class superhero franchise.

In one sentence: A must-watch for anyone tired of vacuous spectacles Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra brings much-needed beating heart to Indian superheroes.