The Lokah universe is officially shifting into its next gear, and the franchise’s biggest strength is staying put. After headlining the record-smashing Lokah Chapter 1: [Chandra](, Kalyani Priyadarshan has now confirmed she is returning as Chandra for Lokah Chapter 2, with the makers eyeing a September 2026 start for filming.
The update lands at a time when fan chatter around Malayalam cinema’s homegrown superhero space is louder than ever, thanks to the first film’s massive theatrical run and the curiosity around how the next chapter expands the mythology.
Kalyani Priyadarshan Confirms Return, Lokah Chapter 2 Shoot Targeted For September 2026
Kalyani confirmed her comeback while attending an event at Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan University, where she was asked directly about the sequel’s status. Sharing a clear update on the timeline, she said, “Lokah 2 script work is going on. Hopefully, shooting will begin in September. Yes, I’m part of the film, so wait for it.”
That one statement does two things at once, it locks in the franchise’s central face and also signals the sequel is still in the scripting phase, with production planning underway for the second half of 2026.
Lokah Chapter 1: [Chandra]( was directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan under Wayfarer Films. The film blended folklore and fantasy with a modern-day emotional spine, positioning Kalyani’s Chandra, also known as Kalliyankattu Neeli, as a supernatural force navigating a contemporary world. The film released theatrically on August 28, 2025, and crossed the Rs 300 crore mark worldwide, a milestone widely reported as a first for Malayalam cinema.
With Lokah Chapter 2 now inching closer to the floor, the biggest confirmed takeaway remains Kalyani’s return, even as further announcements on additional cast and story specifics are still awaited.
Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Kalyani’s most recent major release remains Lokah Chapter 1: [Chandra]( (2025), which later debuted on JioHotstar after its theatrical run. Before that, she played the lead in the Malayalam comedy-drama Sesham Mike-il Fathima (2023), which is available on Netflix.
On the upcoming slate, Kalyani has been linked to director Jai Mehta’s horror thriller Pralay, which has been reported as an upcoming project. With Lokah Chapter 2 targeting a September 2026 shoot, the sequel also cements her current career phase as one of scale-building, balancing star-driven commercial visibility with genre-first choices in Malayalam cinema.
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