Forget Gotham; God’s Own Country just introduced its own superhero, Chandra and here’s why you should watch Lokah Chapter 1

With desi roots, cosmic visuals, and characters that’ll give you goosebumps, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra isn’t just another superhero movie. Here’s why you can’t miss it.

No matter how oversaturated superhero films may feel, we can't deny the intrigue they create within us. As audiences, we love watching these films to immerse ourselves in their fantastical worlds or to criticize them for feeling so repetitive. However, it only takes one exceptional superhero movie to reignite our appreciation for these stories. In an era where even the most established superhero franchises seem to impress us less and less, a small-budget film like Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is drawing superhero fans back to theaters. This movie stands as a testament to an industry that is winning over the hearts of cinema lovers and reinforcing the truth that strong storytelling should always be a priority, regardless of the genre.

Chapter one of Dominic Arun’s original Malayalam superhero franchise, Lokah, follows a young woman named Chandra, who possesses supernatural abilities. After facing her own personal challenges, she is called upon to confront a greater evil. As she begins to accept her powers and destiny in a transforming world, and while working closely with those she encounters along the way, her journey marks the beginning of a new superhero saga. Although the story may resemble the typical origin narratives we have come to love in comic books, there are multiple reasons why it deserves appreciation and discussion.

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We've listed them down here!

Beautiful retelling of ancient folklore

India is known for its ancient scripts and folklore that have shaped our storytelling. Stories about mythological creatures like asuras, rakshasas, and pretas have always captured our attention when we were kids. That’s exactly why seeing them in a modern setting like Lokah makes us want to experience it ourselves. The movie takes snippets from ancient mythology, reinterpreting the story of a yashi, popularly known as Neeli in Indian folklore. It celebrates a yashi like Neeli, who is often seen as a creature driven by vengeance and hatred, and transforms her into a force of nature with deeply humane qualities. Chandra is not someone who walks around in a white saree, ready to drain the blood from men whenever she can. She is someone who prefers to stay in the shadows but steps in to protect those in need. 

Detailed and well-written characters

We have often seen how a story, even when labeled as women-centric and aiming to break stereotypes and present an empowering character, still ends up serving every cliché that exists. While Lokah is no different, Chandra's character and her quirks are revealed in a way that feels fresh. The mystery behind her persona is uncovered through Sunny's perspective, who is just as curious as us to learn more about her and what she holds. While Chandra adds the mystique, the trio of Sunny (Naslin), Venu (Chandu), and Naijil (Arun Kurian) brings warmth to the story. They become our window into this world of supernatural creatures and the lurking evil in the shadows. Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda(Sandy Master), driven solely by his deep-rooted inferiority complex and misogyny, reminds us of the dangers when power falls into the wrong hands. As these characters guide us through the story, we are equally impacted by brief cameos of other characters. Dominic masterfully uses their star power, placing them at crucial moments in the film, creating some of the most whistle-worthy scenes, possible because they are so well written. 

Focus is on storytelling rather than superhero antics

One reason why most superhero movies now feel like variations of the same story is that they follow a similar blueprint that emphasizes visual effects. Although visuals are a key part of movies featuring superpowers and the supernatural, relying solely on them usually doesn't benefit the story. That's where Lokah shines. With careful detailing that centers on retelling a folklore people have grown up listening to, it makes visuals a part of the story rather than the main focus. Considering how the crew spent 5 years before deciding to turn it into a franchise, the time spent on the plot can be credited to its success. The story tries to give us a new view into a character we grew up listening to

Tintelating visuals 

The visuals, which complement the story, are also realistic and share a style that feels unique to this franchise. The story that talks about the birth of Neeli and her past that sets the stage for who she is as a supernatural being is like a beautifully crafted story that reminds us of the ones our grandmothers and mothers used to share. Nimish Ravi vibrantly captures the mood of the film. While we get to see a neon-drentched, dystopian look in the city of Bangalore, he also takes us centuries behind as we get to discover the start of Neeli's story. His frames look nothing less than a painting that keeps the audience immersed into the 1.90:1 frame throughout the film.

Malayalam movies have always been praised for the quality that they deliver and Lokah is a great example of how it can do the same with a genre like superhero. Unlike movies that rely on massive budgets and heavy CGI spectacles, Lokah focuses on good storytelling. It provides the audience with a fresh perspective on a tale rooted in Indian folklore. Chandra’s journey stands as both, a celebration of myth and a modern reimagining, reminding us that strong characters and meaningful storytelling always outshine formulaic tropes. If this is just the beginning of Dominic Arun’s vision, then Lokah might be the franchise that reshapes how we see Indian superheroes.

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is now running in theatres near you!