Lokah Chapter One: Chandra Review - Worthy Theatrical Experience! "Malayalam Movies, Music,

 Lokah Chapter One

Introduction

The Malayalam movie Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (2025), directed by Dominic Arun, marks a bold, ambitious attempt by Malayalam cinema to enter the superhero-fantasy arena. With Kalyani Priyadarshan in the lead role as “Chandra”, the film weaves folklore, myth and widescreen spectacle into something rarely seen in the regional industry. Reviews suggest it is indeed worth a theatrical experience — though with caveats.

Here’s a detailed blog-style review covering story, performances, technicals, music, what works and what doesn’t — along with a verdict on whether it’s worth watching theatrically (especially in places like Dhaka/Savar if you get access).

Story & World-Building

The film introduces Chandra, a woman who, through mysterious circumstances, acquires extraordinary powers and must face dark adversaries. Instead of a purely Western-style superhero saga, the movie roots itself in Kerala-style folklore and mythical elements, giving it a distinctive flavour. 

The first half is consistently praised: character-sets, introductory world-building, humour and visuals all come together to create engagement. For example:

“#Lokah First half done Very good … Eyes wondering visuals and bgm …” 

The interval block is frequently cited as a highlight — a moment described as goose-bump inducing. 

That said, many critics feel the film shifts gears in the second half, and the narrative becomes more about setting up future chapters (the “cinematic universe” promise) than delivering a tightly resolved climax

Verdict on story/world-building: It’s one of the strongest aspects — especially for a regional film attempting this scale. If you enjoy world-making, mythology-meets-superhero, it offers a fresh landscape. But don’t expect a flawless standalone story.

Performances

Kalyani Priyadarshan (Chandra): Widely praised. Critics say this may be her strongest performance to date. She brings a composed intensity to the role and handles the balance between grounded emotion and larger-than-life heroics.

Naslen K. Gafoor: He brings youthful humour and relief, helping to anchor some lighter moments amidst the mythic.

Others: Supporting cast, including Sandy Master (in an action-heavy role) get positive mentions — particularly for physicality and stunt work.

What an incredible success story! … One of the most ambitious and technically well made movies in Malayalam …”

“Kalyani Priyadarshan can’t act to save her life… but still the movie was insanely good.”

So while there are some dissenting opinions, the overall consensus is positive.

Final Verdict

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is a major milestone for Malayalam cinema — in terms of ambition, scale, execution and its attempt at building a superhero mythos. It may not be flawless, but its positives far outweigh its flaws. If you’re a fan of Malayalam films, superhero genres, myth-based storytelling, or just want a movie that feels big and new, this is one to watch.

Rating suggestion: ★★★★ (out of 5) — strong, recommended, especially in theatre.