Malayalam cinema’s first female superhero film, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, produced by Dulquer Salmaan and starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, was set for a grand pan-India release this Onam. However, just hours before its premiere, the film found itself caught in a controversy involving IMAX.

IMAX Vice President Preetham Daniel issued a clarification on X, confirming that Lokah will not be releasing in IMAX. He also thanked Dulquer’s Wayfarer Films for promptly removing their earlier post that incorrectly announced an IMAX release. This incident echoes the recent issue faced by Rajinikanth’s Coolie, where the makers were fined for announcing an IMAX release without securing proper approvals.

Using the IMAX logo without formal agreements can lead to strict legal action, and the Lokah controversy serves as another reminder for filmmakers to ensure compliance before promotions. Despite the setback, Lokah still carries strong buzz as Malayalam cinema’s first female-led superhero venture, promising a festive Onam treat for audiences.

Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Empuraan remains the only Malayalam film officially released in IMAX, underlining how rare such tie-ups are for Mollywood. For now, Lokah will proceed with its wide theatrical release, albeit without the IMAX experience.