Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra is presently working efficiently in theaters and has been lauded by critics. Directed by Dominic Arun, the Kalyani Priyadarshan starrer is a darkish fantasy superhero film, produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Movies.
Sharing his journey behind the film, director Dominic Arun spoke with Pinkvilla in regards to the future installments, even confirming the sequel with Tovino Thomas and a doable collaboration with Mammootty.
Dominic Arun Interview
1. Your first film, Tharangam, was a story that emphasised the innovation in storytelling. Coming to Lokah, you’ve carved out an entire universe from Kerala’s folklore. How did it materialize from scratch?
Ans. I’ve by no means intentionally chosen to observe a selected type. I’m a form of filmmaker who desires to make one thing that I genuinely like. These tales simply come naturally to me primarily based on my private experiences.
Be it Tharangam or Lokah, I’ve by no means given a thought to, ‘I need to do one thing purposefully.’ I simply instinctively really feel like telling my tales like this. I’ve by no means studied screenwriting, nor have I learn numerous tales both, however I simply wished to relate one.
2. Adapting the essence of fantasy and mixing it with realism is sort of a feat from a writing perspective. How do you visualize the way forward for the characters that have been launched in Lokah?
Ans. Each character that got here into Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra has a selected goal. Even for Chandra, there’s a greater goal within the universe. She isn’t simply going to be restricted to this movie, and she’s going to proceed to be an essential character going ahead.
As of now, we’ve solely given a brief glimpse of her, however within the greater image, all these characters have far more to contribute. Even the cameos have backstories; we didn’t embody them only for the sake of it, however I can’t reveal extra particulars about that but.
3. From a technical standpoint, Lokah stands as an ideal instance of how know-how can be utilized to create gorgeous visuals. That being mentioned, how did you handle to attain this with a funds of Rs 30 crore?
Ans. For roughly 1.5 to 2 years, we devoted time to the pre-production work. Throughout that part itself, we recognized the place we must spend extra and the place we may very well be extra constrained.
From the start, our workforce had detailed discussions. The whole lot was well-planned, and in consequence, our thought course of was to make the most of know-how to the very best extent. I consider that having that point for prep work made it doable to attain this high quality on our funds.
4. We already know the way Lokah: Chapter 1 is simply the tip of the iceberg. Because the sequel is touted to be with Tovino Thomas’ Chaathan character, will or not it’s a grander story?
Ans. When the film ends, we are saying that ‘The Chaathans will arrive,’ and the second installment might be a solo enterprise with Tovino Thomas because the lead. Whereas we are going to give attention to Chaathan’s story, there’s a better goal behind every part.
Your entire cinematic universe is resulting in a sure conclusion, and the sequel movie in regards to the Chaathan will discover extra about it, performing as the subsequent step in the direction of it.
5. Now, Lokah was launched in theaters for Onam and had a field workplace conflict with Mohanlal’s Hridayapoorvam. What are your ideas on that situation?
Ans. I’ve by no means believed there to be a contest of types. After we determined to launch the movie in theaters throughout Onam, we solely noticed it as a time when many individuals come collectively to look at a movie in theaters.
For each film launched, there may be room for it to flourish; that’s what I and the manufacturing workforce believed. I simply assume there was some magic for us that obtained consideration from everybody.
6. By now, many individuals know Mammootty performs the position of Moothon. How did he say sure to the position, and the way did you combine such a celebrity into the universe?
Ans. After we initially began discussing the story itself, we already knew there can be a personality like Moothon. After we have been discussing it with Dulquer Salmaan, we expressed our want that Mammukka may play the position.
Simply earlier than the shoot started, Mammukka requested us to relate the story. We went to him, narrated it, and at last advised him we wished him as Moothon. He mentioned, ‘You guys go end up your work first, we’ll give it some thought.’
After the shoot, each DQ and Mammukka noticed the primary minimize and appreciated it. That’s after we once more requested Mammukka to tackle the position, and he agreed to dub for the character.
I consider Mammootty sir nonetheless wants much more convincing if he’s to proceed taking part in Moothon in future movies.
7. Lastly, will we ever get to see Moothon’s character unleashing his full potential within the upcoming motion pictures?
Ans. Sure, within the upcoming motion pictures. Not the subsequent one, however down the road, we are going to get to see him in his full potential. Moothon is just like the prime character within the universe, and like everybody else, I too hope it’ll occur with Mammukka.
ALSO READ: Kalyani Priyadarshan INTERVIEW: ‘Complete construction for the subsequent motion pictures is totally laid out…’