Dulquer Salmaan's Lokah reaches BIFAN, Stuttgart Film Festival: Sincere stories transcend borders
Mumbai, July 2
Following a tremendous performance at the ticket counters, Malayalam drama, 'Lokah - Chapter 1: Chandra' achieved another milestone as it was selected for the prestigious Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2026 and the 23rd Indian Film Festival Stuttgart 2026.
Expressing his gratitude, DQ shared that the selection of 'Lokah' has reaffirmed his belief that stories told with sincerity have the capacity to transcend borders.
Spilling his excitement, the producer of the drama, Dulquer Salmaan, said, "Seeing Lokah: Chapter One - Chandra being recognised at prestigious international film festivals is incredibly special. I'm immensely proud of the entire team whose passion brought this vision to life. It's truly gratifying to see the film continue its journey beyond theatres and for Malayalam storytelling to receive global recognition. These selections reaffirm our belief that sincere stories can transcend borders and connect with audiences across cultures."
Sharing the exciting update on social media, makers Wayfarer Films wrote, "We are thrilled to announce that our film has been selected for BIFAN (Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival) 2026 and the 23rd Indian Film Festival Stuttgart 2026 (sic)."
Directed by Dominic Arun, 'Lokah' is the Malayalam cinema's first female superhero film. It turned out to be both a massive commercial and critical success, grossing over ₹300 crore worldwide.
Backed under the banner of Wayfarer Films, the technical crew of the drama includes Nimish Ravi as the cinematographer, Chaman Chakko as the editor, Jakes Bejoy as the music composer, acclaimed stunt director Yannick Ben as the action master, and Jithu Sebastian as the production designer.
The primary cast of the drama includes Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen as the lead, along with Sandy, Chandu Salim Kumar, and Arun Kurian in ancillary roles.
The film revolves around Chandra, a mysterious woman, who comes to Bengaluru to fight evil. However, she gets mixed up with a corrupt cop Nachiyappa and an organ-trafficking ring.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, a superhero film that doesn't rely on cheap VFX and masala. The fact that it's a female-led story and still managed to gross ₹300 crore shows Indian audiences are ready for meaningful content. Stuttgart and BIFAN selections are well-deserved.
I watched this film during a trip to India and was blown away by the storytelling. It's amazing how a film from Kerala can resonate globally. The organ-trafficking angle was handled brilliantly. Hope more Indian films get such festival recognition.
While I'm happy for the success, I wish the film's marketing had focused more on the female superhero angle than just DQ's name. Still, it's a step forward for Indian cinema. The technical team deserves major credit - Jakes Bejoy's BGM was phenomenal! 🎵
This reminds me of how Indian regional cinema is finally getting its due on the world stage. The combination of a female superhero, international action director Yannick Ben, and a compelling plot is winning formula. Excited to see what Chapter 2 brings.
As a Bengalurean, I loved how the film showed our city - not just the tech parks but also the gritty underbelly. Kalyani Priyadarshan was brilliant as Chandra. Hope this inspires more filmmakers to tell local stories with universal appeal. 🙏
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