By Sam Trailerman
Lokah is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language fantasy thriller written and directed by Dominic Arun, and produced by Dulquer Salmaan under his banner Wayfarer Films.
The film stars Kalyani Priyadarshan as Chandra—a mysterious woman who arrives in Bengaluru on a secret mission.
Her path unexpectedly crosses with a gang involved in organ trafficking, plunging her into a dangerous web of crime and myth.
The cast also features Naslen, Sandy Master (making his Malayalam debut as Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda), Arun Kurian, and Chandu Salim Kumar.
Chandra’s strikingly feminine presence draws the attention of her curious bachelor neighbour Sunny (Naslen) and his carefree friends. When a bizarre incident shakes the neighbourhood, Sunny becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about her.
The story opens in a war-ravaged city where Chandra battles a female assassin and escapes from a crumbling building. In the present day, she is summoned from Sweden to Karnataka by Prakash (Nishanth Sagar), who reveals that the call came from Moothon—the Elder.
Chandra secures a fake passport from an acquaintance who cryptically mentions, “They live among us,” and hands her a book chronicling supernatural beings—echoing the legendary Aithihyamala, a compendium of centuries-old tales about divine Brahmins, benevolent rulers, sorcerers, elephants, magicians, and powerful women in a realm where fact and folklore blur.
This book resonates deeply with Chandra, who is revealed to be a few hundred years old—and a Kalliyankattu Neeli, a malevolent spirit known as a Yakshi.
Inspector Nachiyappa confronts Chandra during his investigation into the organ trafficking murders. In their clash, she bites him—triggering a transformation.
Verghese, a mysterious figure, warns Nachiyappa of Chandra’s true identity and collects his blood for testing.
At the clinic, Chandra explains her vulnerabilities: sunlight and her heart. Her bite, she reveals, only transforms healthy individuals into Yakshas; others may succumb to a rabies-like affliction.
As a teetotaller in good health, Nachiyappa survives and begins his metamorphosis.
Dominic Arun’s direction is masterful, weaving a gripping narrative that holds the audience’s attention throughout. Lokah stands out in Indian cinema as a rare female-led superhero film, elevated by breathtaking cinematography. Each frame feels like a painting—urban landscapes lit like graphic novels, enhanced by striking visual effects.
What sets Lokah apart is its seamless fusion of superhero tropes with Indian mythology, tradition, and contemporary grit.
The tagline “They Live Among Us” perfectly encapsulates the film’s tone and hints at a rich franchise potential—one that could explore deeper mythological legends in future chapters.
Lokah is a bold and refreshing entry into India’s cinematic landscape—a female-led superhero saga that feels both timely and timeless. With a runtime of 2 hours and 31 minutes, it has earned a hauntingly evocative score of 8.1/10 from over 9.7K IMDb users.
This is more than just a film—it’s the beginning of a mythic journey. And I, for one, am eagerly awaiting the next chapter.