Kalyani Priyadarshan’s fantasy spectacle Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has entered the Rs 100 crore club in just seven days of release, the makers announced on Wednesday. Produced by Dulquer Salmaan under the banner of Wayfarer Films, the Malayalam film is reportedly the first female-led South Indian release to achieve this feat.
Until now, the highest-grossing titles led by women in the region were Keerthy Suresh’s Mahanati (Rs 84.5 crore), Anushka Shetty’s Rudhramadevi (Rs 82 crore), Arundhati (Rs 68.5 crore) and Bhaagamathie (Rs 64 crore)--all Telugu films. By overtaking them in less than a week, Lokah has carved out a place in industry history.
Released on August 28 for Onam alongside Mohanlal’s family drama Hridayapoorvam, Lokah has become the 12th Malayalam film to achieve this feat. It is also the third fastest, after L2: Empuraan and Thudarum, both starring Mohanlal.
At the Kerala box office, Lokah has collected Rs 27 crore in six days, with numbers holding steady through its first week. The tally is projected to cross Rs 50 crore in the state by day ten, boosted by the upcoming Onam holidays. Overseas, the film has grossed over $5 million, becoming only the tenth Malayalam film to achieve that benchmark.
With the official tally crossing Rs 101 crore worldwide, the team of Lokah took to social media to share their gratitude. The lead actor Kalyani wrote, “Just… a big thank you to everyone who has made this film bigger and bigger.” Director Arun Dominic simply said, “Thank you all.”
Actor Santhy Balachandran, who contributed to the additional screenplay and dramaturgy, offered a more expansive reflection: “This is more than the money our film has made. To see a film led by a female protagonist do these numbers means everything. May this open doors for more stories featuring women front and centre. May it pave the way for more women to work in all domains of cinema. Kalyani Priyadarshan, I am so proud of you for making history. I am also proud of myself for persevering and working towards claiming what I have always believed is our rightful space. The needle is shifting slowly but surely. To the men who made this moment possible, thank you for being the allies we need. Thank you for walking the talk. Thank you, everyone who watched the film and embraced our world with such generosity. You are all part of this momentous win.”
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is positioned as the opening instalment of a planned five-part franchise inspired by Kerala’s folklore and retold with modern sensibilities. Kalyani plays the titular protagonist Chandra, with Naslen alongside her in the lead. The cast also features Chandu Salimkumar and Arun Kurian in key supporting roles, while Tamil actor-choreographer Sandy appears as the antagonist.