A while ago, Lokah writer Santhy Balachandran shared on Instagram a photograph of the film’s director clad in Star Wars clothing to mark the first anniversary of the commencement of production on the film. She wrote, “Exactly one year since I posted this photo of Captain Dominic Arun as he called “Action!”, and we formally began filming Lokah — Chapter One: Chandra. A journey we had begun 4 years prior to filming. A journey we embarked on because this one man had a vision that drew some supremely talented collaborators together to craft a film that you, the audience, have received with so much love and generosity. A journey we had no idea would lead us to the coveted industry hit title.”
The writer, also known for her acting in films, then expressed her gratitude to director Dominic “for the patience, passion and compassion with which” he made this dream real. It is a case of “Return of the Jedi, indeed!” she added.
She also thanked the rest of her Lokah team “for the sincerity and joyful camaraderie with which the film was made,” as well as the audience “for taking our film to heights we had not dared to imagine.”
Lokah — Chapter One: Chandra does not draw anything directly from the Star Wars franchise. Its inspirations include superhero films from the West, the myth and legend of Kalliyankattu Neeli, and so forth. Also starring Naslen, Sandy Master, and Chandu Salimkumar in key roles, it recently became the highest-grossing film in Malayalam cinema’s history, surpassing the record of L2: Empuraan, starring Mohanlal and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran. Dulquer Salmaan produced it under his Wayfarer Films banner. Dulquer also played a cameo role in the film, alongside the likes of Tovino Thomas, Anna Ben, Soubin Shahir, and Ahaana Krishna, among others.
