Bengaluru, September 3 : The makers of the Malayalam superhero film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra have officially apologised to the people of Karnataka after a wave of social media backlash over a dialogue perceived as offensive towards women in Bengaluru.
Despite the controversy, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, featuring Kalyani Priyadarshan and directed by Dominic Arun, continues to perform strongly at the box office. The film has collected an estimated ₹39.37 crore net in India within its first six days, indicating both commercial success and sustained audience interest.
Released on August 28, the film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra quickly gained popularity across Kerala and beyond, but a particular scene, where a character uses the Kannada slang “dagar” (a derogatory term for a promiscuous woman) to describe women in Bengaluru, sparked outrage online, especially among Kannada-speaking audiences.
Lokah Soars at BO, Makers Apologise to Karnataka
Critics and viewers from Karnataka slammed the film for portraying Bengaluru as a “hub of parties and drugs”, and demanded the removal of what they called “sexist and derogatory” content. The contentious line is spoken by a character named Nachiyappa Gowda, a deeply flawed and antagonistic figure in the film.
Speaking to media, a film enthusiast explained, “Nachiyappa is written as an orthodox, misogynistic villain who resents female authority. The use of the slur, though uncomfortable, reflects his regressive mindset. But understandably, such lines can hurt sentiments outside the context of cinema.”
In response to the mounting criticism, Wayfarer Films, the production house behind Lokah, issued an official statement expressing regret.
“We sincerely apologise for the oversight in our storytelling. It was never our intention to hurt the sentiments of the people of Karnataka. We are committed to removing the dialogue that caused offence,” the statement read.
The studio also reiterated its respect for diverse audiences and promised to ensure sensitivity in future projects. The edited version of the film is expected to roll out in theatres and on digital platforms soon.
Box Office Report: A Superhero Success
The superhero-themed narrative, a rarity in Malayalam cinema, opened with ₹2.7 crore and showed consistent growth over the weekend, pulling ₹10.1 crore on Sunday alone. Industry trackers credit the film’s action-packed storytelling, visual effects, and Kalyani’s performance as key drivers of its success.
Trade analysts are now watching closely to see if the controversy will impact its ongoing run or its upcoming OTT release, details of which are expected to be announced soon.
The Bigger Picture: Regional Sensitivities in Pan-Indian Films
This episode underscores the challenges filmmakers face when crafting stories for a linguistically and culturally diverse Indian audience. What may appear as a nuanced character choice in one region can come across as offensive in another, especially in an era of hyper-connectivity and instant feedback.
As Lokah adjusts its narrative in response to public sentiment, it also opens the door for broader conversations around representation, regional pride, and accountability in cinema.