Cast: Kalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen, Sandy, Arun Kurian, Chandu Salimkumar, etc.
Director: Dominic Arun
Music: Jakes Bejoy
Genre: Fantasy Thriller
Release Date: 29th August 2025
Runtime: 2hr 31mins
Kotha Lokah (Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra) dares to take a bold step into the superhero fantasy genre in Malayalam cinema, a space that is rarely explored. At its heart, the film introduces a powerful superhero woman, breaking new ground for regional cinema. Directed by Dominic Arun with music by Jakes Bejoy, this story promises a mix of fantasy, thrills and grand visuals. Featuring Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen in the lead roles, it has already drawn attention for its ambitious attempt to create a new cinematic universe.
So, does Kotha Lokah truly deliver on its promise of spectacle and storytelling? Let’s find out.
Story
Chandra (Kalyani Priyadarshan) moves to Bengaluru and rents an apartment. Opposite her lives Sunny (Naslen) along with his friends. Sunny is instantly attracted to her and slowly turns his interest into a warm friendship. Their happy friendship slowly changes when Sunny starts noticing strange things about Chandra.
His doubts turn into shock when he sees her killing people right before his eyes. From that moment his life is never the same. Who is Chandra really, why did she come here, and what problems does Sunny face as the truth comes out? The rest of the film answers these questions in a fantasy filled with mystery, fun, and emotion.
Performance
Kalyani Priyadarshan carries Kotha Lokah on her shoulders with a brilliant act. She nails every scene, whether it is calm, emotional or action packed, and proves to be a perfect choice for the superhero role.
Naslen does a good job as Sunny, bringing a natural charm and innocence that balances well with Kalyani’s intense character. Sandy is terrific as the tough police officer, adding strong impact in his scenes. The rest of the cast, including the friends’ gang and supporting actors, give decent performances in their roles and add to the flow.
Analysis
Kotha Lokah begins on a strong note with the quick introduction of Kalyani’s character, which helps the audience connect with her instantly. Once she shifts into the apartment, Sunny’s entry and the way the characters are introduced feels natural and engaging. The first half runs with enough curiosity and a few thrilling moments, while the flashback episode stands out, even though its reason feels a little silly. The interval moment also works well, keeping the momentum alive.
However, the second half is where the film struggles. It starts decently with some comedy, but soon slips into lag. The story begins to wander without a clear direction and gradually becomes more complicated. Even the special cameos fail to leave a strong impact. The biggest drawback lies in the writing, as the film feels more like a character launch pad rather than a story driven narrative. Overall, Kotha Lokah had so much capability to be a strong fantasy thriller, but the potential was not fully used.
Positives
Good visuals
Strong BGM
Comedy works
Negatives
Weak storyline
Lag in second half
Wasted potential
Verdict:
Kotha Lokah begins well with engaging moments and strong visuals but loses track in the second half with a weak storyline. It feels more like character setup than a complete story. Despite a few good highs, the film fails to use its full potential. Overall, an above-average watch that could have been much better.
Rating: 2.75/3
