Kalyani Priyadarshan, the rising star of South Indian cinema, declared herself “proud to be India’s first female superhero” while celebrating the massive success of her film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra at a press event in Kochi on September 9, 2025. Directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, the Malayalam superhero saga, released on August 28, 2025, for Onam, premiered at the 82nd Venice Film Festival and has grossed over ₹150 crore globally, making it the third highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2025. Starring Kalyani as Chandra, a yakshi with supernatural powers, alongside Naslen and Sandy Master, the film’s success resonates.
A Groundbreaking Superhero Epic
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra follows Chandra, a mysterious café worker in Bengaluru who is revealed as Kalliyankattu Neeli, an immortal yakshi battling an organ-trafficking ring led by corrupt cop Nachiyappa (Sandy Master). The film, blending myth with modern thrills, features Kalyani’s fierce action sequences and emotional depth, backed by Jakes Bejoy’s pulsating score and Nimish Ravi’s vivid cinematography. Shot over 94 days with a ₹30 crore budget, it earned critical acclaim at Venice for its “world-class visuals” and Kalyani’s “commanding presence,”. Released in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi, its U/A certification and 2-hour-31-minute runtime make it a family-friendly hit.
Kalyani’s Pride and Personal Triumph
At the Kochi event, Kalyani reflected on her rigorous training, including combat and stunt work, saying, “Playing Chandra was a dream—being India’s first female superhero feels unreal.” Her role, lauded on X as “a game-changer” , redefines women in action cinema. Fans like Bengaluru’s Anjali Nair said, “Kalyani’s strength as Chandra inspired my daughter to be fearless.” The film’s success, with ₹60 crore net in India in nine days and a Hindi release on September 4, positions it as a pan-Indian phenomenon. Cameos by Dulquer Salmaan, Tovino Thomas, and Mammootty add star power.
A New Era for Indian Cinema
Kalyani’s pride in Lokah reflects its cultural weight in India’s 780-language landscape, where female-led narratives are rare. Her journey from Sita Ramam to superhero icon challenges norms, asking: Can women redefine Indian blockbusters? With Lokah’s global acclaim and Kalyani’s fearless performance, the answer is a resounding yes, proving mythology and empowerment can conquer screens worldwide
-By Manoj H