Lokah Chapter 1 Hindi release: Kalyani Priyadarshan film to draw Stree comparisons?

Lokah Chapter 1 Hindi release: After Lokah Chapter 1 came out, there have been stray comments about it being an intelligent adaptation of the Stree template

Will Hindi audiences warm up to Lokah?

Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra, the first in a proposed 5-film franchise merging Kerala folklore with modern-day story-telling, featuring Kalyani Priyadarshan as the title character Chandra, was one of 4 Onam 2025 releases and has been taking the box office by storm. The film by Dominic Arun and backed by actor Dulquer Salmaan’s banner, has already been released with a Telugu-dubbed version and is now set to meet audiences in the Hindi belt. Lokah Chapter 1’s Hindi dubbed version releases on September 4. One question that has popped up, though, is if Kalyani’s film is likely to be compared to the successful Stree horror comedy franchise.

Lokah like Stree?

A few comments to that effect have already surfaced on social media, with netizens wondering if the makers of Lokah intelligently adapted the Stree template. “Lokah is on similar lines of Stree, but rooted heavily in Malayali culture,” wrote one user, while another added, “The horror universe including Stree, Bhediya, Munjya and the upcoming Thama is still the most liked and Stree 2 is better than Lokah.” “On a scale rating, it is better than Minnal Murali, but just below Stree 2, which falls in the same genre,” a third wrote.

It's also been pointed out that Lokah Chapter 1 follows the same template of 3men getting scared on discovering the supernatural powers of the female lead, with one of them also in love with her, which provides comic relief. Malayali audiences, of course, have come to the defence of Lokah Chapter 1, explaining that unlike Stree, in which Rajkummar Rao’s character is a central to the plot, Naslen only fills in as a supporting cast, letting Kalyani do all the heavy-lifting.

Also read: Lokah OTT release: Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero film digital rights bagged by this streaming platform?

The film, meanwhile, follows Chandra, a mysterious young girl, who works night shifts at a Bengaluru café, who has a mission, for which she has been urged to maintain a low profile. But that plan goes out the window, when she gets in the crosshairs of a corrupt and misogynistic cop, Nachiyappa Gowda (Sandy Master).

FAQs

Q. What is the folklore that Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra has been adapted from?

A. Kalyani Priyadarshan plays Chandra, also known as the Kalliyankattu Neeli, in the fantasy thriller. Neeli is revered as a powerful spirit of nature.

Q. Where to watch Lokah Chapter 1 after the theatrical run?

A. The post-theatrical streaming rights of Lokah Chapter 1 have, reportedly, been picked up by Netflix. This has not been confirmed by the makers or the streamer yet.

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