Entering a theater with no expectations often leads to the most delightful cinematic experiences. This time, the film in question was ‘Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra,’ a Malayalam-language film viewed with English subtitles. The story revolves around three boys and a mysterious girl named Chandra who arrives in their neighborhood. It is a superhero film, but unlike any other. The film’s narrative explores Chandra’s powers, weaknesses, and origin story, intricately connecting them with mythology. The presentation is striking, utilizing color grading that evokes a sci-fi dystopian thriller, although the film is not strictly that genre. The screenplay moves at a rapid pace, with a strong focus on character development and world-building. The film features Kalyani Priyadarshan in the role of Chandra, along with Naslen, Tovino Thomas, and Sandy Master in lead roles, with their performances being highly lauded. The VFX is noteworthy, enhancing the fantasy elements, and the seamless transitions contribute to the film’s quality. The film is part of a larger cinematic universe, featuring cameo appearances by significant actors in the end credits. These cameos hint at larger roles in the upcoming installments, adding anticipation for the evolution of this universe.
