Mon Sep 01 19:00:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Malayalam Superhero Film ‘Lokah’ Dominates Onam Box Office Amidst Controversy**
KOCHI, INDIA – September 17, 2025 – “Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra,” Malayalam cinema’s latest superhero film, is soaring at the box office during the Onam festive season, defying a growing backlash over alleged anti-Hindu sentiments. The film, produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Cinematic Universe, has garnered positive reviews and strong ticket sales, with trade analysts predicting a worldwide gross of at least ₹150 crore. In India, the film is projected to conclude its opening weekend with approximately ₹25 crore in revenue, filling theaters across Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu speaking regions.
Despite its commercial success, a segment of social media users have criticized “Lokah” for purportedly depicting Hinduism negatively. Specific scenes, such as a Hindu king setting fire to a temple, and the portrayal of converts and Christian missionaries as heroic, have fueled the controversy. Some critics have targeted the religious identities of the film’s creators, alleging that director Dominic Arun, who is Christian, and producer Dulquer Salmaan, who is Muslim, are disseminating “anti-Hindu propaganda.” Allegations extended to lead actress Kalyani Priyadarshan’s character “giving a disgusting expression when she saw an idol of lord Ganesha.”
The controversy has sparked boycott campaigns and hashtags calling for audiences to avoid the film, with some labeling the Malayalam film industry as “shameless” for supporting projects that allegedly disrespect Hindu traditions. However, the uproar appears to have had little impact on ticket sales, as “Lokah” remains a top choice for Onam viewers.
Directed by Dominic Arun, “Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra” introduces a Kerala-based superhero universe rooted in mythology and fantasy. Kalyani Priyadarshan’s performance as Chandra has been praised, alongside notable performances by Naslen Gafoor and Sandy. The film’s action sequences, crafted by Yannick Ben, and Jakes Bejoy’s background score have been highlighted as strengths, enhancing the film’s blend of suspense, emotion, and spectacle.
Notably, this is not the first time Malayalam cinema has faced allegations of religious bias, with Prithviraj Sukumaran’s “L2: Empuraan” facing similar criticism earlier in the year, leading to the removal of disputed segments.
[End of Release]
First Piper 