Meet Santhy Balachandran: The creative force behind Malayalam’s first female superhero, Lokah (Photo: X)
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, the highly anticipated Malayalam superhero film starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, is finally set to stream on OTT. Directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, the movie will be available on JioCinema and JioHotstar from October 31.
The film introduces Malayalam cinema’s first female superhero, with Kalyani portraying Chandra, a mythology-inspired heroine navigating a modern world infused with folklore and fantasy. Since its theatrical release on August 28, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has received rave reviews and emerged as a box office sensation, crossing the ₹300 crore mark worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time.
While the spotlight is on Kalyani, much of the film’s brilliance is credited to Santhy Balachandran, the screenwriter of Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. Kalyani herself praised Santhy after watching the film, saying, “Not just a writer. She is the biggest creative force in this. From writing to promotions, she has been part of this. Also, she has been the emotional backbone of the movie.”
Santhy Balachandran is not just a talented writer but also an accomplished theatre and film actor. She made her on-screen debut in Dominic Arun’s 2017 fantasy black comedy Tharangam alongside Tovino Thomas. She later appeared as the only female character in Lijo Jose Pellissery’s critically acclaimed 2019 film Jallikkattu. In 2023, Santhy expanded her horizons with her Hindi film debut in Gulmohar, starring Sharmila Tagore, Manoj Bajpayee, and Simran.
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra follows Chandra/Neeli (Kalyani), a yakshi-vampire navigating challenges when she confronts an egotistic and misogynistic policeman, Nachiyappa (Sandy). The film also features actors Naslen, Sandy, Arun Kurian, Chandu Salimkumar, Nishanth Sagar, Raghunath Paleri, Vijayaraghavan, Nithya Shri, and Sarath Sabha.
Following the massive success of the first chapter, the makers have already announced Lokah Chapter 2, featuring Tovino Thomas as Michael, a chathan/goblin, with Dulquer Salmaan potentially reprising his role as Charlie, an odiyan/ninja.
For fans who missed it in theatres, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra will be available to stream exclusively on JioCinema and JioHotstar starting October 31.
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying unheard voices and bringing attention to issues that truly matter. Sofia has contributed articles to The New Indian Express, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Maktoob Media. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity. Beyond the newsroom, she is a music enthusiast who enjoys singing. Connect with Sofia on X: https://x.com/SBCism
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