Meet Santhy Balachandran: The Woman Behind Malayalam Cinema’s First Female Superhero In Lokah
Santhy Balachandran has steadily carved a space for herself as one of the most intriguing talents in Malayalam cinema. Known first for her measured and distinctive screen presence as an actor, she has now stepped into a new creative role, as the co-writer of Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra, Malayalam cinema’s first film to feature a female superhero.
Produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, Lokah marks a bold step into building an indigenous superhero universe rooted in Kerala’s culture, mythology, and modern sensibilities. At its heart is a woman protagonist, and at its creative backbone is Santhy Balachandran.
Santhy’s journey into cinema was anything but conventional. An academic-turned-artist with a strong foundation in theatre, she entered the world of Malayalam films with Tharangam (2017), a quirky fantasy-crime comedy directed by Dominic Arun, where she played Malini opposite Tovino Thomas.
Her natural acting style, nuanced expressions, and ability to switch between humour and vulnerability set her apart immediately. What followed was a series of memorable performances in films that explored vastly different worlds.
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In Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Jallikettu (2019), she was part of an ensemble that helped the film become one of the most celebrated Indian entries on the global festival circuit.
She later appeared in Paapam Cheyyaathavar Kalleriyatte (2020) and in 2022 delivered striking roles in Djinn and Chathuram. Each of these films showcased her range and her willingness to embrace challenging, offbeat stories.
But Santhy has never been just an actor defined by her on-screen presence. Her theatre background and her interest in layered narratives have always hinted at a deeper creative drive.
That instinct has now found its fullest expression in her screenwriting. Collaborating once again with Dominic Arun, the director who launched her film career, Santhy has contributed to the story and additional screenplay of Lokah, the first chapter of a planned Malayalam superhero cinematic universe.
This is more than just a film project; it is an ambitious attempt to create a homegrown mythology for superheroes, one that is deeply local while still universally resonant.
What makes Lokah even more significant is its choice of protagonist. At a time when mainstream Indian cinema has often shied away from women-led superhero stories, Santhy Balachandran’s creative contribution ensures that the first hero of this new cinematic universe is a heroine.
Kalyani Priyadarshan, who headlines the film, steps into the role of Chandra, a superhero shaped by folklore, martial training, and a narrative that pushes against conventional gender boundaries.
For Santhy, writing such a character is both an artistic and feminist statement—proof that Malayalam cinema can lead from the front in imagining strong, complex, and culturally rooted female characters at the centre of large-scale cinematic ventures.
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Santhy’s contribution to Lokah also signals a larger evolution of her career. Having made a mark as an actor, she is now stepping behind the camera to shape stories, characters, and mythologies that have the potential to redefine Malayalam cinema’s global footprint.
Beyond the big screen, Santhy has been equally prominent on streaming platforms, reflecting her adaptability in the digital-first era of Indian entertainment. On Disney+ Hotstar, she appeared in Gulmohar (2023), a family drama led by Sharmila Tagore and Manoj Bajpayee, where her performance stood out in a strong ensemble cast.
She has also been part of experimental projects on SonyLIV, including collaborations with filmmaker Krishand, which highlighted her theatre roots and her willingness to engage in bold, unconventional storytelling.
For audiences, she is no longer just the actor from Tharangam or Chathuram. She is now the mind behind the narrative architecture of Malayalam cinema’s first woman superhero, a cultural leap that carries both cinematic ambition and feminist urgency.
