In an unprecedented turn of events at the Indian box office, Malayalam superhero film Lokah Chapter 1 has emerged as the biggest surprise hit of 2025, outpacing some of the country’s most awaited star-studded releases. Directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan, the film is the first installment in Dulquer’s ambitious Wayfarer Cinematic Universe.
Released on August 28, the film has taken the industry by storm, proving that a well-made regional film can defeat even the most hyped Bollywood and pan-India blockbusters.
Lokah vs Big Budget Giants
Lokah Chapter 1 opened to strong numbers with ₹2.7 crore on Thursday and registered an impressive 40% growth on Friday, collecting ₹3.75 crore on Day 2. By contrast, some of the biggest names in Indian cinema struggled:
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Hrithik Roshan & Jr NTR’s War 2 earned only ₹65 lakh on Friday.
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Rajinikanth’s Coolie managed ₹1.75 crore.
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Even Mohanlal’s Hridayapoorvam, released on the same day, netted ₹2.70 crore.
Lokah not only surpassed these films but also out-earned Coolie and War 2 combined on its second day. The only film ahead of it was Bollywood’s Param Sundari, which collected ₹7 crore on Friday, but on a much larger scale of release.
Why Lokah is Winning Hearts
Audiences and critics alike have praised the film’s refreshing take on the superhero genre. Blending fantasy, mythology, folklore, and science fiction, the film has been hailed as one of the most unique Indian films in recent years.
Fans on social media have described it as “Avengers meets The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets Bangalore energy.” Another fan compared it favorably to big-budget epics: “This is what Kalki 2898 AD and Brahmastra should have done. Lokah was way better.”
The film’s action sequences, comedy timing, and local cultural references have struck a chord with both Malayalam cinema lovers and a wider national audience.
Cast and Performances
Lokah Chapter 1 stars Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen in lead roles, supported by Sandy, Arun Kurian, Chandu Salimkumar, Nishanth Sagar, Raghunath Paleri, Vijayaraghavan, Nithya Shri, and Sarath Sabha.
Fans have especially praised Kalyani Priyadarshan for her powerful action sequences, calling her performance one of the highlights of the film.
Box Office Potential
In just two days, Lokah Chapter 1 has already grossed ₹6.20 crore in India. With glowing reviews and strong word-of-mouth promotion, trade analysts predict the film could easily cross ₹15 crore by the end of its opening weekend, an extraordinary figure for a Malayalam superhero film.
The Dawn of a New Cinematic Universe
Producer Dulquer Salmaan’s plan for the Wayfarer Cinematic Universe seems to be off to a flying start. If the momentum continues, Lokah Chapter 1 could redefine how regional cinema takes on pan-India storytelling, challenging even the dominance of Bollywood and Telugu blockbusters.
