Lokah Chapter 1 team apologises for 'Bengaluru Women' dialogue after backlash, promises to remove it at the earliest

Lokah Chapter 1 team apologises for 'Bengaluru Women' dialogue after backlash, promises to remove it at the earliest

Actor-producer Dulquer Salmaan, who heads Wayfarer Films, has issued a public apology following widespread backlash over a controversial dialogue in the Malayalam film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. While the film has been performing strongly at the box office, it has come under fire for allegedly portraying women from Bengaluru in a derogatory manner.

The controversy stems from a scene featuring Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda, played by choreographer-turned-actor Sandy. In the sequence, the police officer remarks that he does not wish to marry women from Bengaluru, calling them “characterless.” The character is shown as a misogynistic policeman who engages in moral policing throughout the film.

This particular dialogue triggered outrage, especially in Karnataka, with many viewers condemning it as offensive and harmful. Critics argued that it reinforced gender-based stereotypes while unfairly targeting women from Bengaluru.

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In response to the backlash, Wayfarer Films released an official statement on Tuesday, acknowledging the concerns raised by audiences. The note read:

“It has come to our attention that a dialogue delivered by one of the characters in our film Lokah: Chapter One has unintentionally hurt the sentiments of people from Karnataka. At Wayfarer Films, we place people above everything else. We deeply regret this oversight and assure you that no offence was intended. The dialogue in question will be removed/edited at the earliest. We sincerely apologise for the hurt caused and humbly request you to accept our apology.”

While the apology has been welcomed by some, others feel that the damage has already been done, pointing out that mainstream films should exercise greater sensitivity when representing women and cities.

The contentious dialogue is not the only aspect drawing criticism. Several social media users have accused the film of painting Bengaluru in a negative light. Many pointed out that the city is repeatedly depicted as being associated with drugs and an excessive party culture, which they felt was a one-dimensional and unfair portrayal.

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The controversy gained further traction when Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh confirmed on September 2 that the matter had been referred to the Central Crime Branch’s social media monitoring cell. He stated that appropriate legal action would be taken if violations were detected.

Despite the uproar, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra continues its impressive run at the box office. Directed by Dominic Arun, the film has grossed over Rs 30 crore (net) domestically. The cast includes Kalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen, Sandy, and others in pivotal roles.