Lokah Chapter 1 to eclipse Aavesham Karnataka box office; up next, Empuraan record?

The undeniable Onam winner, Lokah Chapter 1 Chandra, has been performing well in Karnataka too, where it released with a Malayalam version only. After 12 days at the box office, trade trackers estimate that the film has grossed Rs 9. 38 crore, and was expected to eclipse the Rs 9.56 cr lifetime collection of Fahadh Faasil’s Aavesham in the state on Day 13, Tuesday. Lokah’s next target milestone is the Rs 12.5 cr record held by Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan , while the highest grossing Malayalam film in Karnataka continues to be Manjummel Boys with Rs 14.7 cr.

With films like Mirai (September 12), Akhanda 2 (September 25), OG (September 25) and then Kantara Chapter 1 (October 2), Lokah’s progress thereafter is expected to slow down substantially. Interestingly, L2: Empuraan had a higher week 1 output at Rs 11.4 crore, after which there was a massive slump. Manjummel Boys had managed only close to Rs 9 crore at the end of week 2, so, Lokah is definitely off to a better start, but the question is how much longer the Kalyani Priyadarshan-led film can sustain that momentum.

Made at a budget of Rs 30 crore only, Lokah’s global gross is a tad shy of Rs 200 cr at Rs 187.3 crore, with Thudarum at Rs 234.5 crore, Manjummel Boys at Rs 240.5 crore, and Empuraan at Rs 265.5 crore occupying the top 3 spots as the highest grossing Malayalam films. The film is very close to beating the domestic collection record of 2018 (Rs 92.85 crore), but is still a while away from Empuraan (Rs 105.25 crore), Thudarum (Rs 121.2 crore), and Manjummel Boys (Rs 141.61 crore).

Also read: Lokah Chapter 1 – Chandra Review: Kalyani Priyadarshan-Naslen's film cleverly revives Malayalam's iconic fable 

Meanwhile, the film by Dominic Arun is one of a proposed 5-film franchise, wherein he and his co-writer Santhy Balachandran have reimagined Kerala folklore and given it a modern twist. Chapter 1 was the story of Kalliyankaattu Neeli, while Chapter 2 is expected to be Chaathan, led by Tovino Thomas. The film has cinematography by Nimish Ravi, while music is by Jakes Bejoy.

FAQs

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, while a glimpse of a hand and a voice that's heard is said to be Mammootty.

Q. What characters are these other actors playing the Lokah franchise?

A. It is confirmed that Tovino Thomas plays the Vishnumaya Chathan, while Dulquer Salmaan is an Odiyan. Soubin is rumoured to be Jinn or Madan, as also Balu Varghese, while Santhy Balachandran or Ahaana Krishna could be Marutha.