Two films, one week: Kalyani follows Mammootty and Mohanlal’s footsteps

Releasing two films in the same week is no small feat. It’s tricky, demanding, and honestly, pretty rare. This Onam, Kalyani Priyadarshan pulled it off with style. ‘Lokah – Chapter One: Chandra’ hit theatres on 28th August, and just a day later, ‘Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira’ followed on 29th August.

Kalyani isn’t the first actor in Malayalam cinema to achieve this, though. Legends like Mammootty and Mohanlal have done it too, back when the industry ran at a completely different pace. In 1984, Mammootty had two films released in the same week: ‘Aalkkoottathil Thaniye’ came out on 6th March, followed by ‘Aksharangal’ on 9th March.

Mohanlal pulled off a similar trick in 1986. ‘Shobhraj’ and ‘Adiverukal’ both released on 5th December, showing off the actor’s incredible work ethic and range. For actors like Mammootty and Mohanlal, who have hundreds of films under their belt, these were just part of their legendary careers. For Kalyani, achieving this in a short span of time is a statement: she’s here to stay.

Releasing two films so close together isn’t just about luck. It takes careful planning, juggling promotions, handling media appearances, and sometimes even shooting two movies at once—all while giving performances that feel fresh and real.

Kalyani’s Onam double couldn’t be more different in tone. ‘Lokah – Chapter One: Chandra’ introduces Malayalam cinema’s first female superhero, ‘Chandra’, a role that’s both bold and physically demanding. The movie, directed by Dominic Arun, also stars Naslen, Chandu Salimkumar, Arun Kurian, and Tamil choreographer Sandy. Audience and critic responses have been overwhelmingly positive, with extra shows being added to meet demand.

Then there’s ‘Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira’, where Kalyani plays Nidhim, a bubbly, quirky girl opposite Fahadh Faasil in Althaf Salim’s directorial.
By pulling off two very different films in back-to-back releases, Kalyani Priyadarshan is proving she’s not just talented—she’s ready to take on big challenges and make her mark in Malayalam cinema, much like the legends before her.