Lokah Chapter 1 – My Flash Review!

In Indian cinema, this is a season of “Chapters”. Recently, we had Kantara Chapter 1, and now we have this. This sets the stage for a cinematic universe similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For Malayalam cinema to attempt this is ambitious in itself. In its first part, with intriguing world-building, though with the usual revenge saga storyline, I must say that the makers have managed to hold your attention.

The opening minutes of Lokah, which centers on the protagonist Chandra, have all the makings of a vigilante film that could have been directed by one of Shankar’s assistant directors. Soon, we need to know the back story. The story then takes us back many years to an entirely different era of Maharajas and their kind. This is narrated through a bedtime story told by an old man to his granddaughter. From this point, the film adopts a non-linear approach, jumping back and forth to reveal the connections and motives behind Chandra’s actions and life.

The movie, which has been pretty engaging so far, tends to become predictable in the second half when it turns into a revenge saga. The cameos of Tovino Thomas, or Dulquer Salman for that matter, don’t add much to the depth of the script but do create some “mass” moments. There is a fleeting glimpse of Soubin Sahir as well.

The film is technically well-made, with production quality visible in every frame. The lighting and camera work complement the intriguing storytelling well. Bengaluru appears unrecognisable in the visuals due to the lighting and colour grading, but the overall look and feel align with the narrative. A further highlight is Jakes Bejoy’s fantastic background score, which enhances the overall movie experience. Elements of dark comedy, especially involving Naslen, the male lead, are thoroughly enjoyable. For example, lines like “Apart from blood, do you have normal fluids also in your fridge?”

Dominic Arun, the director, has also written the story. It is audacious in terms of imagination. He also does a fairly competent job executing the ambitious idea. The film’s strength is also Kalyani Priyadarshan, who plays Chandra and keeps the element of mystery alive throughout. She only has to play a typical female lead in a couple of scenes. Naslen has now been typecast in boy-next-door roles and does a good job.

For a story that is mostly fantasy and features a superwoman character, logic is the last thing to look for. Even then, there are glaring holes in the script that defy reason. The story spans different periods and loosely combines mythology, history, and fiction, but it manages to keep us engaged mostly. One can also see the similarities in the central theme between Lokah and the recent hit, Kantara.

Now that the film is a big success, it will lead to more chapters featuring other characters in the universe. Lokah has its flaws, but overall, it is a good attempt at universe-building and, therefore, an enjoyable watch. It is now streaming on Jio Hotstar. However, is it the best film to have come from the Malayalam industry in recent years, as it claims to be?