Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra Gears Up for OTT Premiere on JioHotstar – Malayalam Cinema’s First Female Superhero Goes Digital

Malayalam cinema’s biggest cinematic revolution, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, is finally ready to light up your screens! After rewriting box-office history, this female-led superhero fantasy will start streaming on JioHotstar from October 31, 2025.

If you missed it in theatres, here’s everything you need to know about this record-breaking blockbuster that’s putting Kerala on the global superhero map.

A Historic Box Office Journey

Directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra smashed every record in sight — becoming the first Malayalam film to cross ₹300 crore worldwide!

• India collections: ₹180.78 crore

• Overseas collections: ₹119.3 crore

• Total: ₹300.08 crore in just 41 days

This success beats Prithviraj Sukumaran’s L2: Empuraan (₹265.5 crore) and Manjummel Boys (₹240 crore). Made on a modest ₹30 crore budget, the film clocked an unbelievable 410% return on investment — pure superhero stuff!

Even more special? It’s the biggest female-led film from South India and the second-biggest in India, right after Gangubai Kathiawadi.

OTT Premiere in 7 Languages

Starting October 31, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra will stream in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi.JioHotstar announced it with a fiery tagline:

“The world of Lokah unfolds exclusively on JioHotstar.”

So whether you’re from Kochi, Kolkata, or Kanpur — Chandra’s world is coming straight to your living room.

The Story: A Yakshi Becomes a Superhero

Meet Chandra (aka Neeli), played by the stunning Kalyani Priyadarshan — a yakshi with superpowers and a mysterious mission in Bengaluru. Her calm neighbor Sunny (Naslen) gets pulled into her world, leading to an epic showdown with the arrogant cop Nachiyappa Gowda (Sandy Master).

The film also stars Arun Kurian, Vijayaraghavan, Sarath Sabha, and features cameos by:

• Tovino Thomas as Michael the Chathan (Goblin)

• Dulquer Salmaan as Charlie the Odiyan (Shadow Ninja)

• Mammootty as the voice of Moothon

This is not just a superhero movie — it’s a mystical folklore reborn.

Why Critics Loved It

Released on August 28, 2025 (Onam), Lokah was called a visual and emotional powerhouse.

Cinematographer Nimish Ravi built an aesthetic that felt both Indian and international — dark forests, tribal symbology, and breathtaking nightscapes.

Jakes Bejoy’s music blended tribal beats with orchestral drama, featuring songs in Mozhika, a fictional tribal language made of five real Indian tongues — a masterstroke in cinematic world-building.

With Banglan’s production design and Yannick Ben’s action choreography, every frame feels like a myth painted with Marvel-grade precision.

The Lokah Cinematic Universe Begins

This is just Chapter 1 of a five-part saga!

• Chapter 2: Michael & Charlie – When Legends Chill (led by Tovino Thomas and Dulquer Salmaan)

• Chapter 3: Headlined by Dulquer Salmaan

• Chapter 4: Featuring Mammootty

• Chapter 5: The ultimate crossover – all heroes unite!

Director Dominic Arun spent eight years building this universe — and it shows. His dream? To create a superhero world rooted in Kerala’s mysticism but relatable to anyone in India.

“Without Dulquer’s support, Lokah might never have existed,” says Arun.

Why Lokah Matters

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra isn’t just a hit movie — it’s a movement for regional cinema.It proves that Malayalam storytelling + Indian mythology + modern filmmaking = global success.

As the film heads to OTT, it’s ready to inspire a new wave of creators, especially women-led stories from the South.

So, mark your calendar: October 31, JioHotstar — Lokah awakens again!

Aapke Sawal, Hamare Jawab (FAQs)

1. When will Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra release on OTT and where to watch it online?

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra will officially release on JioHotstar on October 31, 2025. The Malayalam blockbuster will be available for streaming in seven languages—Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi. You can watch it with subtitles on the JioHotstar app and website across India and globally.

2. What is the story of Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra and who is the superhero?

The film introduces Chandra, a mystical woman inspired by Kerala’s Kalliyankattu Neeli folklore, played by Kalyani Priyadarshan. She’s portrayed as a female superhero (yakshi with powers) who fights misogyny and evil in a modern-day setting. The story mixes Indian mythology, folklore, and fantasy adventure, giving Malayalam cinema its first true superhero saga.

3. Is Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra part of a larger cinematic universe?

Yes. Lokah Chapter 1 is the first installment of a five-part “Lokah Cinematic Universe (LCU)” created by director Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films. Future chapters will focus on other mythological heroes like Michael the Chathan (Tovino Thomas) and Charlie the Odiyan (Dulquer Salmaan), eventually bringing all characters together in a grand crossover film.

4. What makes Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra a milestone for Malayalam cinema?

This film became the first Malayalam movie to cross ₹300 crore worldwide, proving that regional cinema can compete at a pan-India and global scale. It also set benchmarks as the biggest female-led South Indian film and redefined what a superhero movie could look like in the Indian context—rooted in folklore yet visually global.

5. Who are the key cast and crew members of Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra?

The film stars Kalyani Priyadarshan as Chandra, with Naslen, Sandy Master, Arun Kurian, and Vijayaraghavan in pivotal roles.Special appearances include Tovino Thomas, Dulquer Salmaan, and a voice cameo by Mammootty.The film’s core team includes:

• Director: Dominic Arun

• Producer: Dulquer Salmaan (Wayfarer Films)

• Cinematography: Nimish Ravi

• Music: Jakes Bejoy

• Editing: Chaman Chakko

• Production Design: Banglan

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6. Is Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra based on real mythology or original fiction?

Lokah blends real Kerala folklore with original superhero fiction. The character of Neeli/Chandra comes from Kalliyankattu Neeli, a legendary yakshi known in regional tales. The film reimagines her as a modern-day savior who channels ancient powers for good, creating a unique blend of mythology and fantasy storytelling rarely seen in Indian cinema.

7. Will there be Lokah Chapter 2 and when is its expected release?

Yes! The makers have confirmed Lokah Chapter 2: When Legends Chill – Michael and Charlie, led by Tovino Thomas and Dulquer Salmaan. It’s expected to release in late 2026, expanding the Lokah universe with interconnected storylines and new mythological characters.

8. What are the visual and musical highlights that make Lokah stand out?

Lokah is celebrated for Nimish Ravi’s striking cinematography, Jakes Bejoy’s tribal-orchestral score, and Banglan’s immersive set design. The use of a fictional language called Mozhika in the soundtrack—mixing five real Indian languages—adds an authentic, world-building depth. Together, these elements make Lokah one of the most technically advanced Malayalam films ever made.