The much-hyped "Lokah Chapter 1: Chandara," directed by Dominic Arunn, finally hit the screens and whew, was it a ride. The buzz has been massive for this one, as it was touted as Mollywood's first full-fledged female-led superhero film, and for the most part, it totally delivers on the hype. It's ambitious, visually striking, and a really bold step for Malayalam cinema.
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| (Photo Credit: District By Zomato) Lokah Chapter 1: Chandara |
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The movie starts off with a bang, dropping us right into the middle of a chaotic, almost dystopian-looking city. This isn't your usual serene Kerala setting; we're in Bengaluru, and the visuals are all neon lights, flickering street signs, and lots of fire. The main character, Chandra, played by Kalyani Priyadarshan, is this mysterious woman who works at a coffee shop and just wants to lay low. But you know how these movies go, trouble finds her. The plot involves this organ trafficking group, which felt a little bit too... normal for a superhero film? I mean, after all that fire in the beginning, I was expecting something more cosmic, you know? But it does get tied into the larger story, which involves her uncovering her true identity as a centuries-old folkloric figure, the Kalliyankattu Neeli.
Kalyani Priyadarshan is seriously the star of the show. She looks so different from her other roles. She's got this quiet intensity that feels perfect for a character who has lived for centuries. The action scenes, choreographed by this international guy named Yannick Ben, are super polished and she looks convincing in them. My only small quibble is that her expression stayed a little too serious for the whole movie. I wish we got to see a little more emotion, but maybe that's part of the whole "ancient being" thing. Naslen is also great, bringing his usual perfect comic timing. His character, Sunny, is a nice, relatable foil to Chandra's mysterious vibe. He's just a guy who likes a girl and accidentally gets caught up in all this supernatural stuff. I particularly liked his friend, the one who wasn't Venu, I can't remember his name, but he had some funny moments too.
Technically, the film is top-notch. Nimish Ravi's cinematography is beautiful; he captures the Bengaluru nights so well. And oh my gosh, Jakes Bejoy's background music! It gives me chills just thinking about it. The interval scene in particular is a masterclass in scoring. The music swells up and you just get goosebumps. It was so good I almost wanted to leave the theater just so I could go back in and watch that one bit again. The editing in the first half is really tight, but the second half loses a bit of its speed. It feels like they were more focused on setting up the sequel than finishing the story, which is a common problem with these cinematic universe-starter films, I guess. The cameos are a fun surprise too. I won't spoil them, but seeing some of the biggest stars pop up was a nice little treat.
In the end, "Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra" isn't a perfect movie, but it's an incredibly important one. It's a bold and visually stunning attempt to create a homegrown superhero universe. It has a few little problems, like the pace slowing down and some subplots feeling a bit out of place, but the sheer ambition and the solid performances, especially by Kalyani Priyadarshan, make it a definite must-watch. It's an unforgettable theatrical experience.
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