Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra2025

Solid world building and writing are the main ingredients that work like magic here. It makes me so happy that focus was given on the above mentioned aspects because that’s one thing taken for granted in many superhero films. The world building, character origin story, cinematography, music and other supporting performances (Very funny) give this world a refreshing feel. Even when the film gets into familiar UNIVERSE TROPES in the second half, it maintained that feel throughout as the writing/world building never loses rooted/regional grounding. It doesn’t go overboard with anything. The neo-noir look of the film is one of my favourite things. Even the interior shots were beautiful to look at. Props to cinematographer Nimish Ravi and production designer Banglan.  Kalyani silently kills it. Superb performance by her and also Sandy was absolutely epic. Action sequences are also executed really well with good use of slow-motion. Even action sequences are backed by strong writing. It’s not thrown in just for the sake of having superhero fights. Very very neat VFX and not jarring in any sense considering the low budget.  Yes, one of the sequences in the second half was unnecessarily too comedic when the tension was at its peak. Nothing more to nitpick here. So many things to love.  In the end it is a brilliant superhero origin story that blends neo-noir aesthetics with engaging folklore storytelling and strong world building. I have often been critical of exhausting UNIVERSE tropes in films from India but Lokah is an exception because I want to see more of this addictive and refreshing world that they have created. Bring it on!!