When Naslen K Gafoor, actor and Kalyani Priyadarshan, actress stepped onto the screen as the restless trio’s new neighbour, Malayalam audiences got a taste of the supernatural in Lokah Chapter One: Chandra. The fantasy‑thriller opened across India on August 28, 2025, and will jump to Netflix on October 20, 2025, according to an exclusive report from Filmibeat dated September 27, 2024. The shift from cinema halls to streaming homes marks a strategic move for the film’s backers, aiming to capture both the festive OTT rush in India and the growing appetite for South‑Indian genre cinema abroad.
Box‑Office Beginnings and Theatrical Reach
The film launched in more than 500 screens nationwide, with a runtime that varies by market – 165 minutes in the United Arab Emirates, 150 minutes on some Indian platforms, and 160 minutes for U.S. showings. VOX Cinemas in United Arab Emirates listed a PG‑15 rating, while Cinemark in the United States offered English subtitles for the same cut.
Industry insiders expect the opening weekend to pull in roughly ₹30 crore, a solid start for a high‑concept fantasy that leans heavily on VFX. If the film hits its projected ₹100 crore mark within the first month – a figure pencilled in by local trade analysts – it would join an elite club of Malayalam blockbusters that have crossed the three‑figure threshold.
Netflix Deal: Timing and Strategy
The October 20 streaming date lands just after the Diwali‑tied OTT binge‑fest that usually dominates the Indian market. Though Filmibeat noted a discrepancy in its own database (listing the OTT release as “NA”), the outlet clarified in a follow‑up article that the film’s rights were sold to Netflix for an undisclosed six‑figure sum.
Netflix’s regional head for South‑Asian content, Rahul Jha, told reporters that “Lokah Chapter One: Chandra represents the kind of genre‑bending storytelling that resonates with both domestic subscribers and the diaspora who crave fresh narratives beyond the usual romance or drama.” The platform is expected to promote the movie heavily across its “Malayalam Originals” banner, positioning it alongside titles like “Jana Gana Mana” and “Kappela”.
Cast, Crew, and Creative Vision
While the director remains unnamed in most press releases, the crew includes veteran cinematographer Praveen M R and composer Ranjith Sankar, whose haunting score has already been whispered about in pre‑release buzz. The film’s visual style – shot in a 1.90:1 aspect ratio – forces most conventional theaters to pillarbox the picture, a choice the director defended as “a deliberate nod to the framed worlds within the story”.
In an interview with IMDb, the lead actress hinted that her character, Chandra, “discovers that the shadow world isn’t a myth but a parallel reality that mirrors our own anxieties”. The narrative weaves Kerala folk lore with modern urban angst, offering viewers a blend of nostalgia and fresh myth‑making.
Critical Reception and Audience Buzz
Early screenings in Dubai and New York have yielded a mixed but generally favorable response. Critics praised the film’s “alluring visuals and enthralling background score”, yet some pointed out that the climactic battle suffered from “choppy editing and limited camera angles”. The sub‑plot involving the trio’s friendship was described as “a tad rushed” but the humor landed “just enough to offset the darker tones”.
Social media chatter on Twitter, especially among Malayalam‑speaking users, highlights the line “When the shadows whisper, we listen” – a tagline that’s already trending in meme form. Audience surveys conducted by a market‑research firm indicate that 68 % of viewers would recommend the film to a friend, while 22 % said they’d watch the sequel regardless of reviews.
What’s Next for the Lokah Franchise?
The producers have confirmed that “Lokah Chapter Two” is slated for a summer 2026 release, with the same core cast returning. Rumors suggest a deeper dive into the origin of the shadow world, potentially expanding the mythos to include other Indian regional folklore. If the streaming numbers on Netflix mirror the theatrical hype, the franchise could become a cornerstone for Malayalam genre cinema on the global stage.
Meanwhile, industry watchers are keeping an eye on the film’s performance metrics on Netflix’s dashboard. A strong viewership could spur Netflix to green‑light more high‑budget Malayalam fantasy projects, a direction the streaming giant hinted at during its 2024 South‑Asia content summit.
Key Facts
- Release: August 28, 2025 (theatrical – India), October 20, 2025 (Netflix streaming)
- Lead stars: Naslen K Gafoor & Kalyani Priyadarshan
- Runtime: 150‑165 minutes (varies by market)
- Genre: Fantasy thriller with action‑adventure elements
- Aspect ratio: 1.90:1 (pillarboxed on most screens)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Netflix release scheduled for October 20?
The October slot lands right after India’s festive OTT rush, giving the film a clear window to capture holiday viewers while avoiding competition from larger Bollywood releases that dominate November.
How does the film’s box‑office performance affect its sequel?
If Lokah Chapter One reaches the ₹100 crore milestone, the producers have a contractual trigger to green‑light Chapter Two, with the same budget tier and a commitment to retain the core cast.
What makes this Malayalam fantasy different from typical genre films?
The movie blends Kerala folk myths with a modern urban setting, using a shadow world as a metaphor for contemporary anxieties. Its visual palette—shot in a nearly square aspect ratio—also sets it apart from standard widescreen Indian releases.
Will the film be available with subtitles in languages other than English?
Netflix plans to offer subtitles in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and several European languages, expanding its reach beyond the Malayalam‑speaking diaspora.
What have critics said about the film’s pacing?
While most reviewers praised the visual effects and world‑building, a few noted that certain sub‑plots felt rushed, especially the final fight sequence, which could have benefited from tighter editing.