Heroes don’t always wear capes. Sometimes, they wear black and red T-shirts and strut around the streets of Bengaluru.
Much like what Kalyani Priyadarshan does in recent Malayalam superhit film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. With the film reportedly clocking over ₹200 crore at the box office and catching the attention of filmgoers across the country, this delightful fantasy thriller puts onstage India’s first female superhero.
At the centre of all the attention is Kalyani Priyadarshan. Even as the actress juggles several promotional appearances and events in various cities, requests for which have multiplied since the film’s triumph, she also has had to deal with a nasty bout of influenza, something that has prompted her doctor to advise her to cut down on talking.
But she has to, doesn’t she?
With her powerful performance in Lokah, Kalyani has catapulted herself to a place that many only dream of. She has recently climbed to the top slot in IMDb’s list of popular Indian celebrities, which is determined by fan votes.
Her overwhelming emotion at this high point is gratitude. “It’s humbling and energising at once,” she says, in an exclusive chat with The Hindu, “The success feels like permission to tell bigger, bolder stories. I’m excited for what’s next.”
Naslen and Kalyani Priyadarshan in ‘Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra’
That will take some time, but for now, Kalyani is just basking at the unreal numbers that the film, originally made on a budget of ₹30 crores, is making at the box office. Above all, she is pleased that the audience has cheered the fantasy flick that revolved around a female superhero. “For us, the real goal was to tell this story in the best way we could, so seeing it cross ₹200 crores is overwhelming. While the numbers don’t mean too much to us personally, we do understand the value it brings… they open doors for more female-led stories to be backed.”
Queen of the Night
In Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, Kalyani plays the lead role, of a young girl who uncovers mystical skills. The storyline derives inspiration from Aithihyamala, a collection of ancient fables from Kerala, but is set in modern-day Bengaluru. “I think Chandra clicked because she feels possible, not alien. There’s something about her that makes people feel maybe someone they might have crossed paths with, could be like her,” explains Kalyani, adding, “She’s deeply human, even though parts of her are emotionally numb and stoic. People relate to her loneliness, her regular job, the fact that she comes home and cleans her house like anyone else. And at the same time, she’s larger than life and rooted in our folklore, which allows audiences to see their own culture and identity reflected in her.”
Kalyani might have the experience of having done about 15 films in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu since her debut in Hello in 2017, but becoming Chandra for her current hit was a different ball game altogether. Physically, the stunts demanded her to devote months to training in boxing, Muay Thai, strength work, and even learning to handle ropes and harnesses. But beyond all that, getting into Chandra aka Neeli’s mind was the biggest challenge. “Dominic (director Dominic Arun) had such a specific vision for her, and I had to unlearn a lot of my own naturalism to access that. It was difficult, but also deeply rewarding, because it pushed me to grow as an actor and show a side of myself the audience hadn’t seen before.”
Lokah: Chapter 1 ends with a lot of possibilities, suggesting an extension of a cinematic universe that will also feature stars like Dulquer Salmaan and Tovino Thomas. The makers have already hinted this to be a five-part franchise. Like many of us, Kalyani too is excited to see how things will unfold. “What I can say is that Dominic has built a universe with endless possibilities, and you can already sense that in the way Lokah ends. The next film is going to be a full-on Chathan show…. and yes, you will see me in it,” she reveals.
Kalyani Priyadarshan in ‘Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra’
Flying high
Kalyani is India’s latest female superhero, but the actress – who grew up in Chennai and later studied Architecture – herself grew up watching several superhero flicks. “We live in a Marvel era, after all,” she laughs, “But…we didn’t base Chandra on any specific character. Dominic was clear she had to be her own person, and we focussed on the weight of her immortality. That said, we all subconsciously draw from characters we’ve loved, and audiences also connect new things to what they already know. So, comparisons to Black Widow or Scarlet Witch come up, even though they weren’t conscious choices on our part.”
Lokah’s success might have pleased fans of Kalyani and Malayalam cinema – but what about her own parents, Priyadarshan and Lissy, both of whom are well established in the film industry business? “My mom has always seen my work through the lens of a mother, which means she gets over-emotionally invested, while my dad approaches it as a director first, giving very specific feedback,” says Kalyani.
They are both, obviously, overjoyed with the buzz that the film has been generating. “My dad even said he probably hasn’t enjoyed some of his own biggest hits as much as he enjoyed seeing this win.”
But, like most fathers, all this joy comes with a little advice. Kalyani reveals, “After the first weekend of the film, my dad sent me a message saying, “Remember one thing… Never let success go to your head, and never let failure get to your heart. That really resonated.”
Kalyani Priyadarshan
What’s your story?
Backed by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films and starring Naslen and Sandy Master in key roles, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra not only explores the idea that supernatural beings live amongst us but also makes the lady its central point. Does she see it as something that would motivate young Indian women? “If it does, that would honestly be the most rewarding part of all of this. I don’t think of myself as someone setting out to inspire – I was just telling a story I was excited to tell – but if young women see Chandra and feel a little more possibility in themselves, then that makes it all the more special,” says Kalyani.
Even as the buzz around the film refuses to die, Kalyani has moved on to her next – a Tamil film titled Marshall, featuring Karthi in the lead. “It’s set in a rural backdrop in the Sixties, and is a very different character. Most of my energy now is focussed on getting it right.” Looking forward, she hopes to explore more shades as an actor. “I’m a greedy actor. I want to do anything and everything that excites me, from small films with an intimate cast to big-budget action thrillers, sweet love stories to larger-than-life worlds. My focus is always on being part of stories that challenge me and allow me to draw audiences into different kinds of worlds. Lokah has given me the confidence to keep pushing myself and to stay true to the kind of work I want to do.”
Published – September 18, 2025 04:12 pm IST
