Movie Name : Kotha Lokah
Release Date : August 29, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5
Starring : Kalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen, Chandu Salimkumar, Nishanth Sagar, Raghunath Paleri, Vijayaraghavan, Nithya Shri, and others
Director : Dominic Arun
Producer : Dulquer Salmaan
Music Director : Jakes Bejoy
Cinematographer : Nimish Ravi
Editor : Chaman Chakko
Related Links : Trailer
Kotha Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra is a Malayalam superhero film starring Kalyani Priyadarshan in the lead role. The film, which blends folklore with modern superhero elements, has also been released in Telugu and other languages. Here is our review to find out how it fares on screen.
Story:
Chandra, also known as Neeli (Kalyani Priyadarshan), is an immortal with both strengths and vulnerabilities. During a mission, she narrowly escapes from her pursuers. Moothon (voice of Mammootty), the mysterious figure who summons her, advises her to maintain a low profile. She relocates to Bengaluru to lead a quiet life. Her neighbour Sunny (Naslen) is fascinated by her and builds a friendship. But when he uncovers her true identity and past, he is both shocked and frightened. Meanwhile, Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda (Sandy Master) grows suspicious of Chandra. What made him doubt her? Who exactly is Chandra? Why is Sunny so afraid? And what secrets from her past threaten her present? The answers unfold on the big screen.
Plus Points:
Indian cinema rarely explores the superhero genre, especially with female leads. Malayalam cinema rises to the challenge with Lokah. Kalyani Priyadarshan shoulders the titular role with grace; her eyes express what words don’t, and she balances emotion with action impressively.
Unlike conventional superhero films that pit a hero against a world-ending villain, Lokah prioritises world-building. It sets the stage for a cinematic universe rather than rushing into formulaic conflict.
The fusion of Kerala folklore with a modern superhero template is one of the film’s biggest triumphs. We’ve grown up hearing these tales, and Dominic Arun daringly reimagines them for a new generation.
The pre-interval block is a standout – brilliantly written, executed with flair, and elevated by Jakes Bejoy’s pulsating soundtrack. Parts of the second half also hold their ground.
Performances are in place: Naslen suits his role well, while Sandy Master’s Nachiyappa Gowda works partially but lacks menace. The action sequences are well-executed and engaging, blending Kalyani Priyadarshan’s convincing stunts with effective CGI, keeping the superhero thrills alive. Cameos, especially Tovino Thomas’s, are crowd-pleasing highlights and spark curiosity for future installments.
Minus Points:
The emotional core is underdeveloped. The bond between Chandra and Sunny starts strong but fades in the second half, missing an opportunity for deeper impact.
A superhero film needs a formidable villain. Nachiyappa Gowda, while present, never feels ruthless enough to raise the stakes.
Pacing falters in the latter half. After a rousing setup, the screenplay slows down as it leans heavily on universe-building, making the narrative less engaging.
Too many supporting characters circle Chandra without enough depth, leaving portions of the story scattered and occasionally confusing.
Technical Aspects:
Dominic Arun, as both writer and director, deserves credit for ambition and execution, though the writing could have been sharper.
On the technical front, Lokah shines. Jakes Bejoy’s thumping score, Nimish Ravi’s striking cinematography, strong production design, polished DI, and effective CGI all deliver. Editing, however, could have been tighter. The dubbing work is nice as well.
Verdict:
On the whole, Kotha Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra is an ambitious attempt that largely succeeds in establishing a new cinematic universe. Technically polished and anchored by Kalyani Priyadarshan’s compelling performance, it breaks ground as a female-led superhero film rooted in Kerala folklore. At the same time, pacing issues, a weakly written antagonist, and a less engaging second half prevent it from soaring higher. Still, Dominic Arun, Dulquer Salmaan, and the team deserve applause for creating a bold, imaginative start. Lokah may not be flawless, but it is a significant step forward for Indian superhero storytelling, and audiences should watch it on the big screen to experience the beginning of this exciting new universe.
123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team