Dulquer Salmaan on casting Kalyani Priyadarshan as Lokah’s Chandra: ‘We have the same fears and insecurities’

Kalyani Priyadarshan is the toast of the town right now, and why not; the actress’ film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has broken box-office records, not just in Malayalam, but across South by emerging as the highest-grossing female-led movie with worldwide gross of Rs 101 Cr and counting within its first week of release.

At the Hyderabad event of the film’s success meet, its producer and actor Dulquer Salmaan lavished praise on Kalyani, whom he had shared screen space with Varane Avashyamund in 2020, and also explained why casting her was a “no-brainer” for him.

Kalyani and I might have been twins in another life: Dulquer

“Kalyani is like my sister. We are so similar that I think we were twins in another life,” said Dulquer, at the event. “We have the same fears, insecurities and worries, which I sensed when we did Varane Avashyamund together. I could see it and I was like, ‘Are you nervous? I know how that works… I will help you.’ So, we bonded instantly.”

Also read: Lokah Chapter 2: Why does Tovino Thomas’ chaathan call himself a god? All you need to know about Vishnumaya chaathan 

There are reports that director Dominic Arun and team had shortlisted a few other actors as well to play the role of Chandra, a vampire-superhero based on the Kerala folk legend of Kalliyankattu Neeli. The filmmaker in an interview with HT said that Dulquer felt Kalyani would be the best bet to essay the lead in Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra.

Dulquer, who also plays a cameo in the film, said, “When it comes to casting Chandra, for me, it was a no-brainer because I don’t know of anybody else, me included, who would put this kind of sincere effort and dedication into, not just for physical training, but to shaping your character and look.”

The actor also lauded her work ethic. “Hypothetically, if she came aboard in December and the shoot was in August, she would have started training immediately after she had signed. And it’s not because the production house or the director had told her. She would say, ‘I have signed a superhero film and it’s my responsibility and I am going to do it’. I think she’s an absolute revelation and I don’t think there’s anyone more deserving than her to be playing Chandra.”

Kalyani Priyadarshan: We will always be proud of Lokah

In a previous interview with OTTplay, Kalyani had said that Dulquer was the first person she called after hearing the narration, and his words urged her to take up the project.

“We were talking about why we are even in the cinema, and the whole reason was to do movies like this, to tell stories like this, and take risks. So, whether it works out or not, we will always be proud that we did something like this,” she had said.

The success of the first film means the further instalments are also greenlit. The makers are planning to begin shooting the sequel, which will reportedly revolve around Tovino Thomas’ character, by next year. Lokah has been conceived as a five-part franchise that will also see movies with Dulquer Salmaan and even Mammootty in the lead.

Also read: Lokah actor Sandy: My character Nachiappa Gowda will be back in upcoming sequels  

FAQs:

Q. Is Lokah a superhero film?

A. Yes, the film has Kalyani Priyadarshan’s character Chandra in the role of a vampire-superhero, based on Kalliyankattu Neeli. The actress had said though it’s a superhero film, it’s been told keeping the Malayali audience’s sensibilities in mind. 

Q. Who all are there in cameo roles in Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra?

A. The movie has cameos by Tovino Thomas, Dulquer Salmaan, Anna Ben, Ahaana Krishna, Soubin Shahir, Vijay Menon, Sunny Wayne and Balu Varghese

Q. Is Mammootty there in Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra?

A. Mammootty is reportedly essaying the role of Moothon in the franchise. The character's face is not revealed in Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, but he makes his presence felt through his sound.