Malayalam cinema’s latest fantasy epic ‘Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra’ has stormed the box office, crossing ₹200 crore worldwide and becoming the all-time No. 1 Malayalam film on BookMyShow ticket sales, according to Wayfarer Films. Amid its record-breaking run, co-writer Santhy Balachandran has revealed how Mammootty came to play the enigmatic role of Moothon in the film.

How Mammootty joined the film

In an interview with Ginger Media Entertainments, Santhy Balachandran explained that the veteran actor’s cameo was never planned as a large role, but his presence elevated the film in ways the team hadn’t anticipated.

Two or three weeks before the release of the trailer, speculation had already spread among fans about the mysterious figure of Moothon. Addressing how Mammootty was brought on board, Balachandran said, “Mammootty sir has been interested in this project from the very beginning, keeping track of every detail,” she said. “After we started shooting, he even visited the set a few times. He has always been a well-wisher of the team.”

Balachandran explained that the film already had a character called Moothon, but the extent of the role was undecided. “Since he’s such a legendary actor, we couldn’t just bring him in for a single scene,” she said.

“As the film started shaping up, we understood that he was really liking what we were making,” she added. “It was very generous that he offered his support. In the film, there is only a single line of dialogue for Moothon, but the moment you hear it, everyone instantly knows who it is. That itself becomes an elevation moment. It’s so nice that he offered to do that for the film. So as a team it was a gift to us beyond anything we could have imagined.”

Script remained untouched

Balachandran clarified that Mammootty’s involvement did not lead to a script change. “No, the character only had that much in this part. What you see is exactly what was planned,” she said.

The focus of the first instalment, she explained, was always on Chandra, while other characters and storylines would unfold in later parts. “In this part, the focus is on Chandra. There are still other characters evolving and more yet to be introduced. Some of the elements shown in the title sequence have already been decoded by the audience, and those were things we had planned earlier. But when an actor of this stature comes on board, the excitement naturally grows even higher - for us and for the audience.,” she added.

The big reveal

For weeks after release, Moothon’s identity had remained shrouded in mystery, with only glimpses of a hand and a voice on screen. The speculation ended on Mammootty’s 74th birthday, when Dulquer Salmaan and his Wayfarer Films banner posted a poster with the caption: “Happy Birthday Moothon”, confirming what fans had long suspected.

About Lokah

Released on August 28 during the Onam season, Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra is the first of a planned five-part cinematic universe helmed by director Dominic Arun. Produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, the fantasy spectacle has been hailed for its scale and ambition.

The film stars Kalyani Priyadarshan as Chandra, Malayalam cinema’s first female superhero, whose portrayal has drawn both popular and critical acclaim. With music by Jakes Bejoy, cinematography by Nimish Ravi and a screenplay co-written by Balachandran, the film has quickly established itself as both a cultural phenomenon and a historic box office success.