There was a time when Malayalam films prided itself on completing 50 and 100 days in theaters. It was a major milestone. Not just Mollywood, other industries in the south also considered this as a big achievement with many films even running past 200 days. However, with the inception of wide releases, box office collections have been incredibly frontloaded and that means that it's not about the number of days anymore.
Box office collection was always the priority but these days, you don't need a film to run 50 days to become a blockbuster. In fact, it would have already had its OTT premiere by then. Only the biggest of blockbusters touch 50 days in the current era and Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra will be in that elite club for sure. On Sunday (September 21), the fantasy action flick starring Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen completed 25 days in theaters and has shattered a plethora of box office records all over the globe. As things stand, only the highest grosser in Kerala, which Thudarum holds currently at Rs 118.90, remains unbroken.
However, during its fourth weekend, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra breached the Rs 100 crore mark in Kerala, becoming only the second Malayalam film ever to reach this landmark and still seems to have fuel left in the tank. In the coming weeks, that one pending record could also be under its possession. For now, though, let us look at all the major records that have been broken by the film during its theatrical run so far.
Highest grossing Mollywood film of all time
In its fourth weekend, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra went past Empuraan's worldwide gross of Rs 266 crore to become the new Industry Hit of Mollywood. After 25 days, the worldwide gross has touched Rs 275 crore and it seems to be on track to become the industry's first Rs 300 crore grosser worldwide.
Second film to gross Rs 100 crore in Kerala
At a time when Rs 100 crore worldwide gross is still considered a phenomenal achievement, this fantasy action flick has managed to collect that figure from Kerala alone. It becomes the second film after Thudarum to touch this milestone and the fun fact is that both films are 2025 releases. Is Mollywood box office spiking to the next level? You bet!
Second Mollywood film to cross Rs 100 crore overseas
Mohanlal's Empuraan was the only Malayalam film to go past Rs 100 crore gross from overseas territories alone. In fact, that is a film whose performance overseas was much better than its domestic box office. Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has also collected over Rs 100 crore from overseas, thereby becoming the second film to achieve this milestone.
Second Mollywood film to get past Rs 50 crore from Rest of India
Manjummel Boys was the first Malayalam film to collect Rs 50 crore in India excluding Kerala. It was a phenomenal benchmark that spoke of the film's impeccable reach across the country. Now, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is also part of this elite club.
Biggest second, third and fourth weekend for any Mollywood film
Due to its exceptional word-of-mouth, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra ran riot from the evening shows of its first day and it is a juggernaut that just refuses to stop. It set new benchmarks in it second, third and fourth weekends, notching up unprecedented numbers that are all-time records. These are figures that will take some stopping, although you never say never.
First Mollywood film to achieve Rs 100 crore in Kerala and Overseas, and get Rs 50 crore from ROI
There were films that achieved one or the other of these milestones but Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has ticked all boxes. It has Rs 100 crore in Kerala and also from overseas. Meanwhile, it has also gone past Rs 50 crore in Rest of India territories as well. Hallmark of an organic all-time blockbuster!
Highest Mollywood grosser in Telugu states
Premalu in 2024 became the highest Mollywood grosser in Telugu states, beating Manjummel Boys. Now, that record belongs to Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra which has dethroned Premalu from the top spot. Both films, coincidentally, feature Naslen.
Second-highest Mollywood grosser in Tamil Nadu
Manjummel Boys is the biggest Mollywood grosser in Tamil Nadu, that too by some distance as it grossed approximately Rs 64 crore in the state. Premalu held the second spot with Rs 10.50 crore but that has been breached by Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra as it takes the second spot.