Lokah Crosses ₹30 Crore In 5 Days: Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Superhero Film Dominates Onam Box Office
Kalyani Priyadarshan has emerged as Malayalam cinema’s new box office queen this Onam with Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra. The Dominic Arun directorial, which marks the beginning of a planned Wayfarer Cinematic Universe, has crossed the crucial PEC (point of economic crossing) by collecting over ₹30 crore nett in India within five days of release.
The film opened on August 28, 2025, and has since enjoyed a phenomenal run in theatres across Kerala and beyond. Backed by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, Lokah blends local folklore, mythology, and superhero spectacle, offering audiences something rarely seen in Indian cinema.
According to box office tracking website Sacnilk, Lokah earned ₹6.65 crore nett on its first Monday, showing excellent hold after its record-breaking weekend.
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Its five-day total now stands at ₹31.05 crore nett. This makes the Kalyani-starrer the clear winner of the Onam season, comfortably ahead of Mohanlal’s Hridayapoorvam.
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra – Day-Wise India Collections (Nett):
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Day 1 (Thursday): ₹2.7 crore
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Day 2 (Friday): ₹4 crore
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Day 3 (Saturday): ₹7.6 crore
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Day 4 (Sunday): ₹10.1 crore
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Day 5 (Monday): ₹6.65 crore
Total (5 Days): ₹31.05 crore
In contrast, Mohanlal’s family drama Hridayapoorvam, directed by Sathyan Anthikad, has slowed down after a strong start. While it earned ₹13.5 crore nett in five days, the Monday drop to just ₹1.05 crore highlights the clear audience preference for Lokah’s spectacle-driven storytelling.
At the heart of Lokah is Kalyani Priyadarshan’s powerful portrayal of Chandra, a mysterious goth woman who is later revealed to be Kalliyankattu Neeli, a folkloric figure reimagined as a vampire-superhero. Kalyani reportedly trained in martial arts for the film, and her performance has been widely praised for balancing physical intensity with emotional depth.
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She is supported by Naslen, who plays Sunny, her neighbour and confidant, and also appears in a dual role as a British Raj officer in flashback. Sandy impresses as Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda, the antagonist who transforms into a vampire himself.
Extended cameos from Tovino Thomas (as Chathan, a goblin), Sunny Wayne (as Kadamattathu Kathanar), and Dulquer Salmaan (as Charlie, a sword-wielding ninja) add to the fan frenzy.
The ensemble also includes Arun Kurian, Chandu Salimkumar, Vijayaraghavan, Nishanth Sagar, Sarath Sabha, and Nithya Shri, ensuring the film feels both expansive and rooted in familiar Malayalam cinematic traditions.
The film’s technical team has been another key highlight of its success. Nimish Ravi’s cinematography and Chaman Chakko’s editing have been lauded for giving Lokah a sleek, global superhero look without losing Malayalam cultural flavour.
Jakes Bejoy’s music has added both atmosphere and energy, with the promo track “Thani Lokah Murakkaari”, sung by Jyoti Nooran (Nooran Sisters), already trending on streaming platforms.
Production design by Banglan and action choreography by Yannick Ben helped mount the film on a large canvas. Costume design by Melwy J. and Archana Akhil Rao contributed to Kalyani’s striking, gothic appearance that has become one of the film’s most talked-about aspects.
Audiences across Kerala have been flocking to theatres, with reports of houseful shows during the weekend and continued strong bookings into the weekdays.
Social media chatter has been overwhelmingly positive, with fans praising the film’s blend of folklore, fantasy, and contemporary issues such as gender, power, and social morality.
