Kalyani Priyadarshan’s female-led superhero film, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, made quite the impact when it hit theatres earlier this year. The Malayalam film earned praise for its fresh storytelling and grounded take on the superhero genre — something rarely seen in Indian cinema. Now, the actress has opened up about being part of the project, the inevitable Hollywood comparisons, and the shadow of being the daughter of veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan.
Speaking about the film’s success, Kalyani said she feels grateful that Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra struck a chord with audiences. “I feel honoured that we were able to make a film that became part of conversations — not just within the industry but also among audiences. People went to theatres not once or twice, but multiple times, especially at a time when movie watching is on the decline,” she told Hindustan Times.
On Indian Superhero Films
Reflecting on the genre, Kalyani shared, “The reason the superhero genre hasn’t really taken off here earlier is because all our heroes are superheroes in many ways. They defy gravity and do things that seem impossible — we’ve just never labelled them as superheroes.”
She also pointed out how Malayalam cinema’s rooted realism helped make Lokah Chapter 1 believable. “In order to make the action convincing, we had to root it in a superhero genre; otherwise, it might not have worked, at least in our state,” she added.
On Hollywood Comparisons
Kalyani admitted that comparisons with big-budget Hollywood franchises were one of her biggest worries. “When we say ‘female superhero film’, there’s nothing to compare it to here. So naturally, we’d be compared to international films with 20–30 times our budget. That was our biggest fear,” she said.
She recalled being cautious early on. “In my first interviews, I kept saying — this is not Avengers, please don’t expect that my character is like Wonder Woman. But it’s nice that even though comparisons were made, they came from such a positive place.”
On Being Priyadarshan’s Daughter
As the daughter of acclaimed filmmaker Priyadarshan, Kalyani admitted that expectations follow her everywhere. “I have to prove myself there too. I grew up watching only comedies, so naturally, that’s a genre I’m drawn to. I’ll have to keep learning my limitations, but it’s definitely a space I’d love to explore,” she said.
Final Words:
With Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, Kalyani Priyadarshan has carved her own niche in Malayalam cinema — not just as a filmmaker’s daughter, but as a rising star in her own right. Balancing realism with the superhero genre, her performance and perspective mark a refreshing shift in how Indian cinema approaches larger-than-life storytelling.
