Only a few, like Arundhati and Mahanati, have demonstrated that compelling narratives and excellent production can attract viewers, and female-led films have long struggled to make significant box office gains. Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has now established yet another milestone.
The Malayalam superhero drama, which was directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films, has been a huge hit at the box office.
In just six days since its release last week, the movie has already made an astounding Rs 90 crore worldwide. This surpasses the lifetime earnings of Rudhrama Devi (Rs 80 crore) and Mahanati (Rs 85 crore), making it the highest-grossing female-led film from South India.
An Expensive Bet That Went Well
With a budget of more than Rs 30 crore, Lokah Chapter 1 features spectacular visuals and action-packed scenes that seem much bigger. Viewers have responded favorably to the superhero plot, which has made it popular not only in Kerala but also in Tamil Nadu and the Telugu states. This week marks the release of the Hindi-dubbed version, which should increase sales even more. According to industry trackers, the movie is expected to surpass Rs 100 crore in its first week and could soon reach the Rs 200 crore mark.
A Potential Franchise
The fact that Lokah Chapter 1 is just the beginning heightens the excitement. The film is the first in a planned five-part series. In order to maintain continuity and depth for the cinematic universe, director Dominic Arun has confirmed that the stories for all five films were developed prior to the start of filming.
A New Standard for Women-Led Filmmaking
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra's success is being praised as a turning point for Indian female-led movies, especially those in the superhero genre. It demonstrates that viewers are prepared to accept strong female leads, so long as the narrative and scope live up to expectations.
The next big thing is Anushka Shetty's Ghaati, which opens in theaters on September 5. Moviegoers are curious to see if Lokah can continue the trend of women-led blockbusters after its record-breaking run.
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