Even as Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra continues its dream run at the global box office, crossing the ₹250 crore mark, Dulquer Salmaan and Kalyani Priyadarshan have shared that their legendary fathers, Mammootty and Priyadarshan, were initially far from convinced about the ambitious fantasy project.
Speaking to film critic Anupama Chopra for The Hollywood Reporter India, Dulquer revealed that Mammootty was sceptical about the risks involved. “What can we tell you about Moothon? It’s exciting, but it’ll take more convincing. Chapter One looks fine, but it has to be even better, and then maybe he’ll say yes. He’s the hardest person to convince,” he said, referring to Mammootty’s cameo as the enigmatic higher being in the film.
Dulquer added that both fathers were deeply concerned when they realised the scale of the project. “My dad was very worried about the costs going up. Her dad even called me and said, ‘What were you thinking? Why didn’t you make a small film? You made a big one.’ He went on and on, and I was honestly so worried. But I just believed in the idea,” Dulquer said.
Kalyani revealed that her father shared similar concerns. “My mum’s worry is that I’ll hurt myself with all these action films. My dad’s concern is whether I’m even capable of doing them. He laughed and said, ‘Why are you doing things you’re not capable of?’” she recalled.
Despite their initial doubts, both Mammootty and Priyadarshan are now immensely proud of the film’s success. “They were very concerned about what we were up to,” Dulquer said. “But now they’re very proud. I think we’ve got a little leeway to make the kind of films we want. They’re like, ‘Maybe you guys know what you’re doing.’”
Backed by Dulquer’s Wayfarer Films and directed by Dominic Arun, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra released on August 28 for Onam. The first instalment in a planned five-part cinematic universe, the film reimagines a beloved Kerala folklore through a superhero lens. With its record-breaking performance, all eyes are now on whether Lokah can surpass Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan to become the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time worldwide.