Review: Kotha Lokah: Fair And Engaging

 

Movie: Kotha Lokah Chapter 1
Rating: 3/5

Cast: Kalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen, Chandu, Arun Kurian, Sandy and others

Director: Dominic Arun

Produced By: Wayfarer Films

Release Date: 29-08-2025

Story:

A bunch of young folks runs into a shady organ trafficking gang while Chandra, a mysterious girl, heads to Bangalore for some unknown purpose. At the heart of the film is Chandra's identity and her ability to protect her near ones from a formidable adversary this time.

Performances:

Kalyani Priyadarshan takes on the role of the first female superhero in Malayalam films. With her cool vibe and charm on camera, Chandra comes off as a totally believable character. With a confident stance, she carries herself elegantly in her costume and style.

Naslen's got the perfect vibe for this role with his natural charm and sense of humor. Chandu totally nails the role of a perfect buddy. Arun Kurian brings more excitement as their buddy Naijil. Tamil actor Sandy has a blast portraying Nachiyappan, a crooked police officer with a sexist attitude who clashes with Chandra.

What worked for the Film:

Dominic Arun kicks off the film in a really interesting way. He unravels the mystery about Chandra so smoothly and accurately that the audience loves the reveal. That flashback hits hard with its awesome storytelling and layout, giving goosebumps. The interval episode is pretty cool too. The latter half features some well-placed action sequences along with a few surprise cameos that totally captivate viewers.

The palette of colors and catchy background score make the production design pop along with the action choreography.

What did not work for the Film:

Just like other films that are a part of cinematic universes, Lokah too has some shortcomings, especially when it comes to character development and backstory. You cannot quite figure out what Chandra's objective is; they barely mention it. A couple of scenes towards the end seem to slow down and feel drawn out.

Kotha Lokah Chapter 1 Review and Verdict:

Kotha Lokah: Chapter 1—Chandra, directed by Dominic Arun, is a noteworthy and entertaining film. Along with some exciting scenes, the fascinating backstory, superb technical execution, and sincere humor all contribute to the film's success. It would have been a lot more fun if they explored the main character's aim a little deeper. Nevertheless, it is a good beginning to the most ambitious superhero movie universe.