Movie Name : Kotha Lokah
Release Date : August 29, 2025
Kotha Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra is a Malayalam superhero film starring Kalyani Priyadarshan in the lead role. The movie has also been released in other languages, including Telugu. It combines elements of folklore with those of contemporary superhero films. See how it looks on screen in our evaluation.
Story:
Neeli (Kalyani Priyadarshan), also known as Chandra, is an immortal with both advantages and disadvantages. During a mission, she narrowly escapes from her pursuers. Mammootty’s Moothon, her mysterious summoner, advises her to keep a low profile. In order to live in peace, she moves to Bengaluru. Sunny (Naslen), her neighbor, becomes fascinated by her and forms a friendship with her. However, he is both shocked and frightened when he learns her true identity and background. In the meantime, Sandy Master’s (Chandra’s) Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda begins to have doubts. What put him off of her? Who is Chandra exactly? Why is Sunny so afraid? And what secrets from her past threaten her present? The answers unfold on the big screen.
Extra points:
Indian cinema rarely explores the superhero genre, especially with female leads. Malayalam cinema rises to the challenge with Lokah. Her eyes convey what words cannot, and Kalyani Priyadarshan effortlessly strikes a balance between emotion and action in the title role. Unlike conventional superhero films that pit a hero against a world-ending villain, Lokah prioritises world-building. It sets the stage for a cinematic universe rather than rushing into formulaic conflict.
One of the film’s greatest achievements is the incorporation of contemporary superhero tropes into traditional Kerala folklore. We’ve grown up hearing these tales, and Dominic Arun daringly reimagines them for a new generation.
The pre-interval block is a standout – brilliantly written, executed with flair, and elevated by Jakes Bejoy’s pulsating soundtrack. Parts of the second half also hold their ground.
Naslen gives a solid performance, and Sandy Master’s Nachiyappa Gowda works in part, but lacks menace. The action sequences, which combine Kalyani Priyadarshan’s convincing stunts with effective CGI to keep the superhero thrills alive, are well-executed and engaging. Tovino Thomas’ cameos, in particular, are crowd-pleasing highlights that pique viewers’ interest for subsequent installments. Minus Points:
The emotional core lacks depth. The bond between Chandra and Sunny starts strong but fades in the second half, missing an opportunity for deeper impact.
A superhero film needs a formidable villain. Even though he is present, Nachiyappa Gowda never feels ruthless enough to raise the stakes. Pacing falters in the latter half. The narrative is less engaging as a result of the screenplay’s heavy reliance on universe building after a rousing start. Too many supporting characters circle Chandra without enough depth, leaving portions of the story scattered and occasionally confusing.
Technical Aspects:
Dominic Arun, as both writer and director, deserves credit for ambition and execution, though the writing could have been sharper.
On the technical front, Lokah shines. Jakes Bejoy’s thumping score, Nimish Ravi’s striking cinematography, strong production design, polished DI, and effective CGI all deliver. Editing, however, could have been tighter. Also nice is the work on the dubbing.
Verdict:
On the whole, Kotha Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra is an ambitious attempt that largely succeeds in establishing a new cinematic universe. Technically polished and anchored by Kalyani Priyadarshan’s compelling performance, it breaks ground as a female-led superhero film rooted in Kerala folklore. At the same time, it can’t go higher because of issues with the pace, a weakly written antagonist, and a less interesting second half. Still, Dominic Arun, Dulquer Salmaan, and the team deserve applause for creating a bold, imaginative start. Lokah may not be flawless, but it is a significant step forward for Indian superhero storytelling, and audiences should watch it on the big screen to experience the beginning of this exciting new universe.