Kalyani Priyadarshan is reuniting with producer Dulquer Salmaan with the upcoming film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra after 2020’s Varane Avashyamund. While Dulquer is not officially a part of the cast yet, he is producing the film under the Wayfarer Films banner. Kalyani talked about collaborating with Dulquer again after the 2020 film, which marked her debut in Malayalam cinema. Speaking to Filmibeat in a recent interview, she said, “Dulquer may not be my best friend and we may not be speaking to each other on a daily basis, but he is the first person I call and seek advice from if I have any insecurities in my career or acting.” She went on to add, “He is always there for me, and this has not changed from my first film to now.”
Kalyani also recalled the message she received from Dulquer after the first show of and positive word of mouth for Varane Avashyamund. “He messaged, saying, ‘I hope you see the love that is coming for you. Please know you deserve it.’”
Interestingly, Varane Avashyamund also stars Kalyani’s Lokah costar Naslen as the young version of Dulquer's character, but they do not have any combination scenes in the film. However, in Lokah, Kalyani and Naslen play the lead roles. The film from writer-director Dominic Arun of Tharangam fame also stars Chandu Salimkumar and Arun Kurian, as well as choreographer Sandy Master as a police officer. There are also rumours about cameo appearances from Dulquer and Tovino Thomas, but the film’s makers are yet to confirm the same.
Lokah is slated for an August 28 release in theatres. Kalyani is also part of director Althaf Salim’s Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira, co-starring Fahadh Faasil. Both films are set to take on Mohanlal and Sathyan Anthikad’s Hridayapoorvam in what is poised to be an intense clash at the box office this Onam season.
