The girl behind young Neeli: How 11-year-old Durga C Vinod became the soul of 'Lokah'

When 'Lokah – Chapter One: Chandra' hit theatres, it wasn’t just the thrill of seeing Malayalam cinema’s first female superhero that had audiences buzzing. Kalyani Priyadarshan’s portrayal of Kalliyankattu Neeli was fierce and unforgettable. But stealing hearts alongside her was 11-year-old Durga C Vinod, who played young Neeli with breathtaking intensity.

A sixth grader from Puthuruthy in Thrissur, Durga didn’t just appear on screen. She lit it up with action, emotion and rare screen presence. Her scenes in 'Lokah' were not only technically demanding but also emotionally complex. And in one of the film’s most intense moments, she was performing through a painful injury.

'It hurt, but I completed the scene'
During a key stunt sequence shot in Kannur and Athirappilly, Durga sustained a knee injury. Her leg began to swell, and the crew quickly offered to pause the shoot. But Durga insisted on continuing.

“I knew the team would suffer if we delayed. So I told them I’d do it. It hurt, but I completed the scene,” she recalls.
Her father, Vinod Prabhakar, who was on set, stayed up through the night with Durga and her mother. “We were all worried. But by around 3 am, she said she was okay. That’s the kind of strength she has,” he says.
Durga’s resilience was shaped not only by physical training but also a strong emotional core. And that came through in another unforgettable moment during filming.

The secret that unlocked the tears
One of Durga’s most emotionally charged scenes required her to cry on cue. Despite rehearsals and prep, when the cameras rolled, the tears didn’t come. The team was puzzled. Even her parents were unsure what was going wrong.

Then director Dominic Arun quietly pulled her aside and whispered something to her. A secret, he told her, that only she should know.
“After that, I couldn’t stop crying,” says Durga with a laugh. “Later, Dom apologised for telling me that. But it worked!”

Trained since the age of three
What makes these moments even more astonishing is Durga’s background. She has been training in martial arts since she was three years old. Her father, Vinod, a professional stunt master and actor who has worked in films like 'Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey', began teaching her Kalaripayattu before she even started school. Later, he introduced her to mixed martial arts, cinematic fighting, and even acting exercises.

“She wakes up at 5 am every day, trains at our Kalari, then goes to school. She’s been doing this for years,” says Vinod. “I’ve always trained kids not just in fighting, but in expressions and stage presence too.”
Durga’s acting journey began when she was eight, with a short film 'Bhadranari'. She later had small roles in films like 'Neela Rathri' and 'Shaman'. But 'Lokah' was her first big leap — and it came out of the blue.

“A friend working on the film asked for a training video. They liked it, and called her for an audition,” says Vinod. “We never expected it to turn into something this big.”
Durga had just one condition before signing on.
“I told her it would be tough. Shooting in forests, long hours. She simply said, only if I can write my school exams,” Vinod says.

A natural on set
Once on set, Durga quickly gained the crew’s confidence. French stunt choreographer Yannick Ben even reworked her scenes after seeing her skill level in person.
“She picks things up so fast. They’d ask me to explain choreography or action changes on the spot, and she would get it in two or three takes,” says Vinod.

The emotional scenes were directed closely by Dominic Arun, who Durga fondly refers to as 'Dom'. His trust in her allowed her to go deeper into the character than anyone expected.
Even Kalyani Priyadarshan, after seeing Durga’s scenes, had warm words of appreciation. The young actor who played her younger self had done more than just justice to the role — she had made it her own.

More than just a martial artist
Off screen, Durga is as multi-talented as she is disciplined. Apart from martial arts and acting, she’s also passionate about dance, arts and crafts. She makes handmade gifts for her friends and family and often learns new techniques through YouTube.

“She’s always creating something. Crafts, paintings, small gifts. She’s very giving with her creativity,” says Vinod.
Durga even had a moment of hesitation during a scene involving a dog. In the film, young Neeli is accompanied by one, and while Durga initially wondered if it might bite, her worries were quickly put to rest. “Everyone reassured me, and the dog turned out to be very friendly,” she says.

A grounded star with strong roots
Durga comes from a family steeped in martial arts. Her father runs Kaalika Kalarisangham in Thrissur, and her elder brother, who is in the 11th grade, is also an advanced Kalari student.
Despite the attention she’s getting post-release, the family is clear about one thing — Durga’s education takes priority.

“We’re not forcing her into films,” says Vinod. “If she wants to continue, we’ll support her. But school comes first.”
After the release of 'Lokah', the family was flooded with messages on Instagram. “We let her respond to some of them herself. We tell her that all this love is a blessing. It should make her grateful,” says Vinod.

The little superstar we didn’t see coming
In a film that introduces Malayalam cinema’s first female superhero, it’s only fitting that a young girl off-screen embodies the same grit and grace. Durga C Vinod may be just 11, but her journey is already one of discipline, resilience and magic.
Whether she continues in cinema or follows another path, one thing is clear — Little Neeli has already etched her place in our hearts.
And this is only the beginning.