Dulquer Salmaan reveals Mammootty was initially concerned about ‘Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra’ budget

Actor-producer Dulquer Salmaan, who bankrolled the blockbuster 'Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra,' now the second-highest-grossing film of the year, recently opened up about the doubts his father, megastar Mammootty, and veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan had about the project. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dulquer shared that both Mammootty and Priyadarshan — who is the father of actress Kalyani Priyadarshan — expressed concerns about the film’s ambitious scale and budget.

"My dad was worried about the budget," Dulquer admitted. "Even Kalyani’s father asked me why I was taking such a big risk. But now, they’re both thrilled with the film’s success." Dulquer also revealed that Mammootty was initially hesitant to commit to playing the mysterious character Moothon, who was teased in Chapter 1.

“All of us have been eagerly waiting to see Moothon on screen, but he still needs convincing,” Dulquer said. “He told us, ‘Chapter 1 is good, but I’ll only do it if the next part is bigger and better.’ He wants to be sure it's truly worth it. Even I believe I need to earn his ‘yes’ through the strength of the work, not just because he’s my father.”

Despite initial reservations, Dulquer said Mammootty was ultimately impressed by the film's success and now holds the project and its creators in high regard. “To be honest, Kalyani’s father also didn’t expect such a grand success. I told him I didn’t know anything for sure — I just trusted the concept.”

Reflecting on the film’s journey, Dulquer added, “Both Priyadarshan and my father kept bringing up the budget throughout the project. But now, they’re proud of us. I think we’ve earned their trust, and we finally have the freedom to tell stories the way we want. They see now that we know what we’re doing.”

Kalyani Priyadarshan also shared a touching message from her father after the film’s success:
“He sent me a message that said, ‘Success should never go to your head, and failure should never go to your heart.’ He’s said it before, but this time it really hit different. I’ll always carry those words with me.”

'Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra,' produced by Dulquer’s Wayfarer Films, has received widespread acclaim across India. The film is the first installment in a planned five-part cinematic universe. It features prominent roles by Naslen, Sandy, Arun Kurian, and Chandu Salimkumar, with cameo appearances by Dulquer Salmaan, Tovino Thomas, Soubin Shahir, Ahaana Krishna, Shanti Balachandran, and Anna Ben. The makers have confirmed that Mammootty will take on the key role of Moothon in the upcoming chapters.