Vishal Menon delivers an enthusiastic review of "Lokah: Chapter One - Chandra," the ambitious Malayalam superhero film directed by Dominic Arun. Vishal praises the film as a work of real vision that successfully creates a female superhero movie without requiring a male savior. He explores how the film differentiates itself from other Indian superhero attempts by setting the story in a fictionalized, anachronistic Bangalore and cleverly incorporating the Kerala folklore of Kalliyankattu Neeli into a contemporary superhero narrative.
In this detailed analysis, Vishal examines the film's worldbuilding, mythmaking, and feminist themes, highlighting Kalyani Priyadarshan's powerful performance as Chandra and the effective villain portrayed by Sandy. He discusses how director Dominic and cinematographer Nimish Ravi create a consistent visual style with neon-lit cyberpunk aesthetics, while Jakes Bejoy's music enhances the narrative. Vishal particularly appreciates how the film uses Indian storytelling concepts like reincarnation and rebirth, making it feel authentic despite its fantastical elements. While noting minor missteps, he concludes that "Lokah" successfully establishes a genuine cinematic universe that doesn't feel like a lazy business model.
