The global success story of Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra continues as the Malayalam blockbuster has earned official selections at two prestigious international film festivals. Produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, the film has been selected for the 23rd Stuttgart Indian Film Festival 2026 in Germany and the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) 2026 in South Korea.
The latest recognition further strengthens the film’s international reputation following its record-breaking theatrical run and successful OTT release.
🎬 International Film Festival Selections
| Festival | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Stuttgart Indian Film Festival | Germany | 2026 |
| Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) | South Korea | 2026 |
BIFAN 2026 is scheduled to take place from 2 July to 12 July, bringing together acclaimed fantasy, horror, and genre films from around the world.
🌍 A Landmark Malayalam Blockbuster
Starring Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen in the lead roles, Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra emerged as one of the biggest Malayalam films ever made.
The film achieved several milestones, including:
- 🎬 First Malayalam film to cross ₹300 crore at the worldwide box office.
- 💰 Grossed over ₹121 crore in Kerala.
- 🏆 Earned the Industry Hit title in Kerala.
- 🌐 Became a Pan-India success across multiple languages.
🏆 Multiple Kerala Film Critics Awards
Earlier, Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra dominated the Kerala Film Critics Awards 2025, winning five awards in major categories.
Award-Winning Categories
- Best Director
- Best Actress
- Best Music Director
- Best Makeup
- Best Debut Writer
The recognition further cemented the film’s status as one of the finest Malayalam productions of recent years.
🎥 Inspired by Kerala Folklore
The film draws inspiration from the legendary folklore of Kalliyankattu Neeli, one of Kerala’s most well-known mythical figures.
Blending folklore, fantasy, horror, and drama, the film resonated with audiences not only in Malayalam but also in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada, where it enjoyed successful theatrical runs.
👥 Cast and Crew
Alongside Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen, the film features impressive performances from:
- Chandu Salimkumar
- Arun Kurian
- Sharath Sabha
- Nishanth Sagar
- Vijayaraghavan
Special appearances by Dulquer Salmaan and Tovino Thomas also generated significant excitement among audiences.
🎬 Lokah Chapter 2 Officially Announced
The journey of Lokah is set to continue with Lokah: Chapter 2, officially announced by Wayfarer Films. Following the blockbuster success of Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra, the sequel will star Tovino Thomas in the lead role.
The film is written and directed by Dominic Arun, with Dulquer Salmaan returning as producer under the Wayfarer Films banner. The announcement was made through a special video featuring Tovino Thomas, who appeared as Chathan, and Dulquer Salmaan, who played Charlie in the first installment.
The sequel is expected to expand the Lokah Cinematic Universe, continuing the fantasy adventure that captivated audiences across India. More details regarding the cast, production schedule, and release date are expected to be announced in the coming months.
📺 Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra Now Streaming on JioHotstar
After creating history at the box office, Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra is now streaming on JioHotstar. Produced by Dulquer Salmaan under the Wayfarer Films banner, the fantasy blockbuster stars Kalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen, Sandy Master, Arun Kurian, and Chandu Salimkumar in pivotal roles.
Available in Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada, the film became the Industry Hit of Malayalam cinema and was the first Malayalam movie to cross the ₹300 crore worldwide mark. Following its successful theatrical run, Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra has also received an excellent response from OTT audiences across India on JioHotstar.
The film also earned a place among IMDb’s list of the Top 10 Most Popular Indian Films released during the previous year, highlighting its widespread popularity beyond Kerala.
A Proud Moment for Malayalam Cinema
From becoming the first Malayalam film to enter the ₹300 crore club to receiving recognition at prestigious international film festivals, Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra continues to set new benchmarks for Malayalam cinema. Its selection at the Stuttgart Indian Film Festival and BIFAN 2026 marks another significant milestone, showcasing the growing global appeal of Malayalam films and their storytelling excellence.
