“Lokah – Chapter One: Chandra” movie produced by Wayfarer Films, directed by Dominic Arun, Music by Jakes Bejoy, starring by Kalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen (Naslen K Gafoor), Chandu Salimkumar, Arun Kurian, Sandy, and Many others.
In Bengaluru, three young men from Kerala – Sunny, Nigel, and Venu – share a house. Sunny (Naslen), who is recovering from a recent heartbreak, becomes smitten with Chandra (Kalyani Priyadarshan), the new neighbor who has just moved into the house opposite his. As Sunny becomes increasingly drawn to Chandra, he starts following her, but he also begins to notice some supernatural occurrences surrounding her.
One day, when Chandra is in danger, Sunny springs into action to save her. Will he succeed in rescuing her? What are the supernatural forces surrounding Chandra? This female-centric superhero film, explores these questions as Sunny navigates his way through the mysterious world surrounding Chandra, all while trying to protect her from harm.
Kalyani Priyadarshan shines as Chandra, a superhero with extraordinary powers, delivering impressive performances in flying action sequences and subtle moments where she skillfully conceals her identity. Her dedication to the action scenes is particularly noteworthy, and she truly deserves special recognition for her efforts.
Naslen, on the other hand, perfectly captures the essence of his character, portraying a timid personality with his trademark innocence. His comedic timing adds to the film’s lightheartedness, and even in serious scenes, his body language and expressions bring laughter to the audience. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, making their interactions enjoyable to watch.
Sandy, who plays the role of a misogynistic terror villain throughout the film, brings immense depth to his character. In the climax scene, he unleashes a furious performance, showcasing his mastery over villainy. The film’s comedic relief is well-supported by Arun Kurian and Chandu Salimkumar, who deliver flawless performances.
The cameos, which are strategically placed to expand the superhero universe, add to the film’s excitement, creating moments that the audience celebrates in theaters. These well-executed elements come together to enhance the overall viewing experience.
Cinematographer Nimish Ravi deserves applause for capturing the high-octane action sequences from various angles, showcasing his exceptional skill. Editor Saman Chako has done a fantastic job, balancing the pace of the film with a thrilling first half, intense action sequences, and a well-crafted universe-building narrative in the second half.
The film’s transition techniques are also noteworthy, seamlessly weaving the story together. Music composer Jakes Bejoy has brought the film to life with his powerful soundtrack, perfectly complementing the narrative. His background score adds immense energy to the mass scenes, elevating the overall impact of the film.
The stunt team has done an impressive job in choreographing the fight sequences, bringing the film’s high-energy action scenes to life. Given that “Mollywood” is establishing the first superhero universe in Malayalam cinema, the special effects team has put in extra effort to deliver stunning visual experiences, making the graphics scenes truly stand out.
The film’s first half skillfully builds up the narrative with a mix of comedy and supernatural elements, keeping the audience engaged. Director Dominic Arun showcases his finesse in revealing the reasons behind Chandra’s superpowers through a well-crafted flashback sequence.
The way the filmmakers keep the audience guessing about Chandra’s identity, only to reveal a surprising twist that will leave viewers stunned, is commendable. The screenplay, crafted by Dominic Arun and Santhi Balachandran, demonstrates a thoughtful approach, dropping subtle hints in the first half that add depth to the superhero narrative in the second half. The collaboration between the director and writer has resulted in a well-structured and engaging storyline.
The film leaves several questions unanswered, such as the identity of the main villain, Kalyani Priyadarshan’s character’s origin, the significance of the object she brings, and the purpose of the group she belongs to, with a casual promise to address them in the sequel. Moreover, the superhero universe’s construction and fantasy elements are heavily influenced by Western styles, which might be off-putting for some viewers.
The second half of the film succumbs to clichés and makes the superhero appear somewhat lethargic, which affects the overall pacing. This becomes a test for the film’s momentum, and the director’s approach might not resonate with everyone. Despite these issues, the film’s potential for sequels and further exploration of its universe keeps the audience invested.
Although the superhero characters may exhibit some normal human traits in their writing, the film’s making, storytelling, and ideas shine through. “Mollywood” is a good starting point for building a universe in Malayalam cinema, laying the groundwork for further exploration and development.
Overall Our Rating :- 3.5 Out of 5
Mathioli Rajaa
Lokah – Chapter One: Chandra :
CAST :-
* Kalyani Priyadarshan as Chandra,
* Naslen (Naslen K Gafoor) as Sunny,
* Chandu Salimkumar as Venu,
* Arun Kurian as Naijil,
* Sandy as Nachiyappa Gowda.
CREW :-
Produced by Wayfarer Films.
Tamil Nadu Release by AGS Cinemas
Writer, Director – Dominic Arun
Produced by – Wayfarer Films
Director of Photography – Nimish Ravi
Film Editor – Chaman Chakko
Music Composer – Jakes Bejoy
Production Designer – Banglan
Executive Producer – Jom Varghese
Line Producer – Bibin Perumbilly
Action Choreographer – Yannick Ben
Additional Screenplay & Dramaturgy – Santhy Balachandran
Art Director – Jithu Sebastian
Make up – Ronex Xavier
Costume Designers – Melwy J, Archana Rao
Other Language Dubbing Director – RP Bala (RP Studios)
Sound Design – Dawn Vincent
Sound Mix – Rajakrishnan
Lyricist – Sasikumar, MuRi, Zeba Tommy
Guest Composers – DJ Sekhar, JK
Production Controller – Vinosh Kaimal, Rinny Divakar
Chief Associate Director – Sujith Suresh
Associate Director – Sugheesh S.G
Chief Associate Cameraman – Anson Titus
Associate Cameraman – Hemil Sugunan
Project Heads – Sujai James, Deva Devan V
Ai Visualization & Post Production Supervisor – Ajmal Haneef
Still Photography – Rohit K Suresh, Amal C Sadhar
Publicity Design – Aesthetic Kunjamma
Casting Director – Vivek Anirudh
Creative Contribution – Jitin Puthanchery
DI Colorist – Yashika Routray
DI Studio – Color Planet Studios
Visual Effects – Little Hippo Studios & Pictorial Fx
Animation – Eunoians Studio
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