Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, directed by Dominic Arun and backed by Dulquer’s Wayfarer Films, has opened to spectacular reviews.

The film, which launches Kalyani Priyadarshan as Malayalam’s first female superhero, is an ode to Kerala’s folklore. It brings to life elements of popular children’s bedtime stories, offering a unique, extravagant and enticing blend of myth, magic and dark powers set against the hustle of a bustling city.

Apart from Kalyani Priyadarshan, the film features an interesting cast including Naslen, Chandu Salim Kumar and Arun Kurian. The movie also has several exciting cameos, raising hopes for future installments. It is already being hailed as a pride project and an exciting franchise in the making for Malayalam cinema.

Right after its first shows, rave reviews have poured in for the Kalyani-led film, with people from all walks of life showering love and praise. Among those voices of appreciation, the one now buzzing on the internet is from none other than acclaimed director Nag Ashwin.

Ashwin, who is fresh off the mindboggling success of Kalki 2898 AD — a film featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, along with cameos by Dulquer Salmaan and Vijay Deverakonda — shared his excitement for Lokah.

For context, Kalki 2898 AD went on to gross over ₹1,000 crores at the global box office, emerging as a blockbuster.

Being a flagbearer and supporter of ambitious projects, Nag Ashwin shared an Instagram story after watching Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, in which he noted:

“Yes yes… seated for the Lokah-verse.”

“And the whole team again… great job,” he added, tagging Dominic Arun, Dulquer Salmaan, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Jakes Bejoy and Nimish Ravi.

Such praise from a filmmaker who has earlier created acclaimed films like Mahanati and Yevade Subramanyam, before venturing into Kalki, is expected to be a major boost for the Lokah team. The creators are already working on expanding the universe with several intriguing characters set to be unveiled in later installments.

The big shout-out from a pan-Indian director like Nag Ashwin is being widely seen as a larger applause for Malayalam cinema, which has long stood out for its diverse content and exemplary storytelling.