Dominic Arun on helming a female superhero film: Not a deliberate attempt to break the mould
While
Malayalam cinema
has seen a superhero film with Minnal Murali, director
Dominic Arun
's Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, featuring
Kalyani Priyadarshan
, will mark the industry's first female superhero. However, the director says, 'It's not a deliberate attempt to break the mould.
We started discussing this idea back in 2020. The story and the main characters developed organically.
We are lucky to have built a talented team to bring this story to life."
Premalu actor Naslen will be playing the male lead in this project, which has actress
Santhy Balachandran
as the additional screenwriter. She shares, "Dominic and I have had a longstanding association since Tharangam (2017), and working with him has always been a very collaborative experience. Lokah is his baby. We have different skill sets and points of view, and although we strongly disagree with each other at times, this difference is our strength as writing partners,"
While Kerala State Award Winner Melwy J, who has worked on Bramayugam and Minnal Murali, is handling the costume design for the film, the duo reveal that they have also collaborated with Archana Akhil Rao of Kalki 2898 Ad and Lucky Baskhar fame to create looks for certain sequences in the film, "including Kalyani's outfit in the first-look poster'.
Santhy believes that Malayalam is the most creatively fertile industry in India at this point in time. "Our audience is quick to both appreciate and criticise, so we cannot take them for granted. Of course, we have to work within the financial constraints unique to a small state, but I believe that too contributes to our unique choices in storytelling," she says.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Kerala Crimes Files 2 set to premiere on THIS date; second teaser builds suspense
The highly anticipated second season of the Malayalam web series Kerala Crime Files has finally gotten its premiere date. Titled Kerala Crime Files: The Hunt for CPO Ambili, the new season intensifies the mystery and drama with a gripping storyline that has already started generating buzz online. The recently released second teaser builds suspense masterfully, offering glimpses into a high-stakes investigation while withholding a clear verdict on the central character, Civil Police Officer Ambili Raju. The role is portrayed by acclaimed actor Indrans, whose performance is already being hailed as one of the season's biggest highlights. The series marks the return of popular actors Aju Varghese and Lal, who reprise their roles from the first season that struck a chord with Malayalam web series viewers. Joining the ensemble this time is Arjun Radhakrishnan , known for his compelling performances in Rocket Boys, Ullozhukku, and Kannur Squad. He plays a leading role in the investigation that unfolds around the sudden disappearance of CPO Ambili Raju . The story kicks off when a blood-stained mobile phone is discovered in a drainage ditch, prompting an intense police inquiry. With Ambili missing and clues pointing in his direction, the case spirals into a complex web of doubt and deception. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Alongside the lead cast, the series boasts a strong supporting lineup including Harishree Ashokan, Renjit Shekar, Sanju Sanichen, Suresh Babu, Navas Vallikkunnu, Noorin Shereef, Jeo Baby, Fara Shibla, and Bilas Chandrasekharan. Kerala Crime Files Season 2 is helmed by director Ahammed Khabeer, with a screenplay by Bahul Ramesh—best known for the critically acclaimed film Kishkinda Kaandam. The music is composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab , adding a moody and immersive layer to the tense narrative. The series will have its much-awaited premiere on June 20.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Actor Rishab Shetty escapes unhurt as boat capsizes during Kantara-1 shoot
A boat carrying actor Rishab Shetty and around 30 crew members capsized during the shoot of 'Kantara: Chapter 1' at the Mani reservoir in Karnataka's Shivamogga district, reported news agency PTI. The incident occurred in the shallow waters of Melina Koppa in the Masti Katte region, narrowly averting what could have been a major tragedy. All members onboard, including actor-director Shetty, escaped unhurt, the police said. However, filming equipment, including cameras, is believed to have been damaged or lost. The exact value of the loss is still being assessed, according to Thirthahalli police, who confirmed an investigation is underway. This incident comes just days after the death of actor-mimicry artist Kalabhavan Niju, 43, who suffered a heart attack in Bengaluru while shooting for the same film. According to a report by OnManorama, Niju complained of chest pain at the homestay arranged for artists and was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead. The Kerala-based actor had reportedly joined the film after an audition and was last seen in the Malayalam film 'Marco'. His death marks the third fatality linked to 'Kantara: Chapter 1' in the past month. In May, Kannada comedian Rakesh Poojary, 33, died of a cardiac arrest while attending a wedding. Around the same time, a 32-year-old junior artiste from Kerala, MF Kapil, drowned in the Souparnika river after being caught in a cross current. The Hombale Films production has endured a series of misfortunes since filming began. Last November, a minibus carrying 20 junior artistes met with an accident in Mudoor; though all escaped unhurt, it raised alarms over on-set safety. Earlier, a costly set constructed for the film was destroyed by heavy rains, further delaying the shoot. Kantara: Chapter 1 is a prequel to Shetty's critically acclaimed 2022 film Kantara. The new instalment is scheduled for release on 2 October 2025, with Rishab Shetty once again taking the lead role.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Kannappa trailer: Vishnu Manchu promises visually striking spectacle with Akshay Kumar, Prabhas and Mohanlal's powerful cameos
Kannappa trailer: 'Only if we take that stone and throw it into the forest will their madness subside,' declares warrior Thinnadu (Vishnu Manchu), referring to the Lord Shiva idol of his clan. Far away, in Mount Kailash, the divine abode from which they observe all that happens in the world, Goddess Parvati (Kajal Aggarwal) asks her consort Lord Shiva (Akshay Kumar), 'What makes you believe that such a person (Thinnadu, a staunch non-believer) will eventually become your devoted follower?' With a gentle smile, he replies, 'Just like you, I too am waiting for that moment.' Among the many glimpses of Kannappa's world offered in the newly released trailer, this moment stands out as it forms the emotional crux of the story. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, the film follows the transformation of Thinnadu, a fearless warrior who sees no point in worshipping a 'stone with no ears', into Kannappa, a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. Although he is a non-believer, evil forces with their sights set on the sacred Vayu Lingam in Thinnadu's village know they must defeat him to claim it, as he will do anything for his people. As Thinnadu engages in the battle of a lifetime, he encounters Rudra (Prabhas), who serves as a divine link between him and Lord Shiva. As struggles intensify and he faces unprecedented conflicts in life, Thinnadu comes to profound realisations. The trailer ends by showing him embracing a stone lingam and declaring, 'I will never leave you from now on. This is Thinnadu's promise.' Watch Kannappa trailer here: The trailer promises that Kannappa will feature rich visuals, enhanced by heavy visual effects and anchored by a strong emotional core, thus delivering a unique cinematic experience. The promo video suggests that the makers have tried to blend grand spectacle with meaningful storytelling, while also incorporating all the hallmarks of a solid entertainer. The film also stars Vishnu Manchu's father and actor-producer Mohan Babu, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, Tamil star Sarath Kumar, Arpit Ranka, Brahmanandam, Saptagiri, Mukesh Rishi, Madhubala (Madhoo) and Aishwarya Bhaskaran in key roles. On the technical front, Kannappa features music by Stephen Devassy, cinematography by Sheldon Chau, editing by Anthony Gonsalvez and production design by Chinna. Besides Telugu, the movie will also be released in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and English. Kannappa will hit the screens on June 27.
