Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra

Lokah is a successful confluence of fervent storytelling and brilliant technical filmmaking. The audience along with the characters get thrust into a surreal fray where fact meets fiction and reality converges with myth. The narrative is set around the titular character of Chandra who most certainly isn't what meets the eye and conceals an arcane past. Who or What is she ? Who's she with or against ? How and when does ground reality merge with tales of lore. How do the other characters gel into this cacophony? All these queries and a bit more form the basic crux.

The film presents the world-within to the audience by recounting legends familiar via folk lores and juxtaposing them with characters from the modern time thereby encapsulating both wonder and nostalgia. Filmmaking prowess of the crew is in full display with alluring visuals and enthralling background score, supported by strong writing and entertaining action set pieces. The cast also does commendable jobs with their roles. The film throughout keeps everyone wanting more from this tale and the third act and climax leaves the audience into hoping for further chapters.

The final fight of the penultimate action piece involving the main character should have been done better with more robust editing and better camera angling considering the ones before were better executed. The closure to a sub plot felt rushed. The humour in this film though doesn't feel forced is plenty, considering the serious undertone the story otherwise aims to put forth .

Also the film for some reason is presented in the aspect ratio of 1:90:1 which thereby pillarboxes the film in most screens outside of Flat and Digital IMAX ones. Considering this film doesn't have an IMAX rendering ,and that flat screens are so few in the region, this presentation felt unaccounted for. Albeit; this film definitely warrants a Cinema Theater experience.

Absolute game changer of Mollywood and Indian cinema . The story, character and build up is so interesting and it totally worth watching. Turning of myth which we heard during the childhood turning into reality was not an expecting one, especially the way the plot was created. Loved it and will watch again.

Lokah is truly a quality product from Malayalam cinema that boldly steps into the superhero genre-a territory rarely explored in the industry. From the making and cinematography to sound design and production value, every technical department shines with international-level finesse.

What sets Lokah apart is how intelligently it weaves superhero elements with our myths, traditions, and the modern world. The tagline "they live among us" perfectly sets the tone for a franchise that has vast potential to explore mythological legends in future chapters.

Kalyani Priyadarshan deserves special mention for taking on a powerful role and executing it with confidence and finesse. The trio of Neslen, Chandu, and Arun bring in much-needed comic relief to balance the otherwise serious tone of the film. Sandy, in a surprising turn, delivers a strong performance as the antagonist, leaving a lasting impact. The rest of the cast also contributes effectively, and the cameos are well-placed, creating anticipation for what's next.

Director Dominic Arun and his team have taken on a challenging vision and brought it to life with remarkable conviction. Hats off to Nimish Ravi, Jakes Bejoy, Baglan, Chaman Chacko, and the entire technical crew for their exceptional work.

However, the franchise structure and chapter-based storytelling do result in some incomplete character arcs and unresolved motives. Hopefully, these will be addressed in the upcoming installments.

All in all, Lokah is a commendable theatrical experience that sets a solid foundation for a promising superhero franchise.

Back in 2017, Dominic Arun exhibited promise as a filmmaker with Tharangam, an unconventional fantasy black comedy that didn't make a lot of money but captured the attention of the ardent filmgoer. Lokah: Chapter One - Chandra is the director's second outing, and this time, he strikes GOLD! The immediate post-watch feeling was a craving to watch the next chapters unfold rather quickly. We're subjected to a universe that's brimming with unimaginable possibilities, fascinating characters, and immersive lore. Chapter One works solidly as both an origin story and an in-between adventure characterized by a neon-filled aesthetic (even if it's set in Bangalore), comprising characters that we can connect to.

Kalyani Priyadarshan is a great choice for the titular character, and while she isn't required to emote a whole lot, her stature and prowess in the action set pieces really help. Naslen, however, with his candid expressions and taking on the audience's perspective, is PERFECT. He embodies the curious guy-next-door to the T, making Sunny's camaraderie with Chandra extremely fun to watch. Chandu Salimkumar and Arun Kurian are good too, especially the former, with some of his dad's signature expressions. Sandy is excellent as the main baddie, with a menacing stare and a stance that makes him easy to despise. There are some really cool cameos in store, in case you haven't exposed yourself to all the names in the cast already. The cameos have their natural space within the universe, possibly taking on full-fledged roles in the upcoming instalments.

Special shoutout to Durga C. Vinod as young Chandra; she was riveting in that pre-interval scene. Now, the finished product wouldn't be as good if not for some of these top-tier names within the crew: DoP Nimish Ravi, who makes this world look so vibrant and engaging; Editor Chaman Chakko with some amazingly cool transitions; Composer Jakes Bejoy who once again delivers a banger of a soundtrack; and Stunt Director Yannick Ben for making Chandra look absolutely badass in the action blocks. Loved the costume designs by Melwy J and Archana Akhil, alongside Banglan's production design.

My only major screenplay gripe concerns a party scene in the first half, where a cop lets a group of youngsters go scot-free after catching them with weed at an apartment. Okay, letting that slide since the same scene also features a dashing Kalyani (in a white dress) walking into the apartment with Ilayaraja's 'Kiliye Kiliye' remix playing in the background. Also, even when we call this Chapter One, there are way too many seeds planted already, making the film a thread-opener without offering any sort of closure. At least now, can people shut up about female actors NOT being able to pull off solid action in Malayalam? That too, in an era where lavish budgets are spent on creating "pan-Indian" action spectacles that often end up as debacles.

Extraordinary movie making Unique storyline Excellent Direction Excellent 📷 work Good acting from all especially Neslen and Kalyani.

Overall Lokah stands out as an unprecedented cinematic journey from Malayalam cinema industry, leaving a lasting impact that will be remembered for years to come.

Must watch movie in theatre.