Dulquer Salmaan’s production banner Wayfarer Films has publicly thanked lyricist Vinayak Sasikumar for suggesting the title of the Kalyani Priyadarshan-starrer Lokah, one of the biggest Malayalam releases of the year. In a social media post on Sunday, the company wrote: “Thank you @vinayaksasikumar for suggesting #Lokah 🔥 The title that perfectly captures the franchise’s spirit! An invitation to a new World ��”.
The acknowledgement comes after Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra's additional screenplay writer and dramaturgist Santhy Balachandran revealed in an earlier interview with us that it was Vinayak who proposed the title. She noted that he had been working on the song 'Shoka Mookam' when the idea emerged. “We had many options, but nobody was completely happy with any of them. ‘Lokah’ felt apt because we are introducing a new world,” she said.
Released during Onam on August 28, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, directed by Arun Dominic, has become a box office phenomenon. Reportedly mounted on a budget of around ₹30 crore, the film has already crossed ₹200 crore globally, making it only the fourth Malayalam production to do so.
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra reimagines a beloved Kerala folklore through a superhero lens, serving as the opening instalment of a planned five-part cinematic universe. Alongside Kalyani in the lead, the ensemble features Naslen, Chandu Salimkumar, Arun Kurian, Nishanth Sagar and Vijayaraghavan, with Tamil actor-choreographer Sandy making his Malayalam debut as the antagonist. Veteran actor Mammootty appears in a surprise role as the enigmatic Moothon, a character set to return in future instalments.
The cameos of Dulquer Salman as Charlie / Odiyan and Tovino Thomas as Micheal / Chathan were also officially revealed, adding to the anticipation surrounding the franchise’s future.