Sunit Jangir

Sunit Jangir

211 Articles

As a Senior Editor at Sacnilk, Sunit Jangir leads our coverage on Indian cinema, box office analytics, and global entertainment trends. Passionate about Cricket, Sunit Jangir is an avid sports lover. He finds inspiration in other people's life stories and try to absorb them. Though introvert by nature, he doesn't feel shy when the topic is cinema and sports, particularly cricket.

Articles Written By Sunit Jangir

Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah Overtakes Thudarum and Manjummel Boys To Become Second Biggest Malayalam Grosser
267 days ago
Mollywood

Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah Overtakes Thudarum and Manjummel Boys To Become Second Biggest Malayalam Grosser

Kochi, September 15 – Kalyani Priyadarshan's fantasy superhero film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has reduced the gap between the number 1 Malayalam film of all-time and continues its historic box office run, scripting new milestones for Malayalam cinema. It surpassed the lifetime collections of Thudarum and Manjummel Boys, emerging as the second-highest-grossing Malayalam film ever. After a phenomenal start and strong legs worldwide, Lokah has become a pan-Indian as well as international success. Backed by stellar reviews for its world-building, breathtaking visuals, and Kalyani's career-defining performance, the film has managed to connect with audiences far beyond the home state, Kerala. On its 18th day, the Dominic Arun's directorial overtook Manjummel Boys (241+ crores worldwide), which stunned the trade last year with a record box office run. Earlier, on its 17th day, the latest sensation outgrossed Mohanlal's Thudarum (235+ crores worldwide), which is now the 4th biggest Mollywood blockbuster of all-time. Lokah is now within touching distance of overtaking Mohanlal's Empuraan (267 crores worldwide) to become the number 1 Malayalam film ever. After 18 days, the superhero blockbuster has grossed approximately 248+ crores globally, including around 140 crores domestically. Kalyani Priyadarshan, who shouldered the film with remarkable screen presence, has now entered the league of top Malayalam stars. With this success, Malayalam cinema has once again proven its storytelling power and global appeal. Stay tuned...

Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah Triumphs Overseas Box Office; Tops 100 Crore
269 days ago
Mollywood

Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah Triumphs Overseas Box Office; Tops 100 Crore

Kochi, September 13 - Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero saga Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra continues to run riot at the worldwide box office. The Dominic Arun directorial is on its way to becoming the second-highest-grossing Malayalam film worldwide by the end of this weekend. While Lokah continues to triumph at the global box office, it has registered yet another historic milestone by becoming only the second Malayalam film of all time to top 100 crores gross collection overseas, reaching there on its 16th day. Malayalam giant Mohanlal's political action thriller Empuraan is currently the number 1 overseas grosser with over 142 crores gross collection. Lokah, even though it might not emerge as the number 1 Malayalam overseas grosser, the film has enough stamina left to come close to Empuraan, which is remarkable. The pre-release buzz and strong word of mouth propelled Lokah to a sensational opening worldwide, followed by strong legs during the weekdays. While the domestic collections had already soared past 100 crore, the film's international reception has been equally impressive. It has performed best in the Middle East, which has historically been the strongest international market for Malayalam cinema. At the worldwide box office, the first film in Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Cinematic Universe has grossed approximately 225 crores, including 123.50+ crores gross domestically. It will cross Thudarum (235+ crores worldwide) and Manjummel Boys (241+ crores) by the end of the third weekend, and become the second biggest Mollywoog grosser of all-time. Currently, Mohanlal's Empuraan (267 crores) is the number one, and Lokah will look to take down this coming days to claim the historic top spot. Stay tuned...

Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra Enters Elite Box Office Club of 200 Crore Worldwide In 13 Days
272 days ago
Mollywood

Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra Enters Elite Box Office Club of 200 Crore Worldwide In 13 Days

Kochi, September 10 – Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero spectacle Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is proving to be a once-in-a-generation box office phenomenon in Malayalam cinema. The Dominic Arun directorial has shattered all expectations by entering the 200 crore worldwide box office club in just 13 days. After opening to rave reviews, the film has maintained extraordinary momentum both domestically and internationally. In Kerala alone, the movie is drawing record footfalls, while in overseas markets like the Middle East, North America, and Europe, it continues to post stunning numbers. Crossing the 200 crore milestone is a rare feat for Malayalam cinema, and Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has done it with remarkable speed, becoming the second fastest to do so after Mohanlal's Empuraan. Overall, it is the fourth Malayalam film ever to breach this milestone, after Empuraan, Thudarum, and Manjummel Boys. As has been reported earlier, the trade believes the film has the potential to go much further, with family audiences and youngsters flocking to theatres in large numbers even after weekends. With no major competition on the horizon, the movie is expected to extend its dream run well into its third week and beyond. It is still a long way to go, but Lokah stands a genuine chance to become the highest-grossing Malayalam film by crossing Empuraan (267 crores), while also having an outside opportunity to become the first Mollywood film to reach 300 crores worldwide. The success of Lokah marks a watershed moment for regional cinema, showing how strong storytelling backed by visionary filmmaking can transcend linguistic and geographical barriers. This has opened new doors for Malayalam cinema, and particularly for the superhero genre. As the first chapter of what promises to be an ambitious franchise from Dulquer Salmaan's production, Chandra has set the stage for even bigger box office fireworks in the future. Stay tuned...

Overseas Box Office: Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah Joins Mohanlal's Thudarum and Empuraan in $10 Million Club
274 days ago
Mollywood

Overseas Box Office: Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah Joins Mohanlal's Thudarum and Empuraan in $10 Million Club

Kochi, September 8 - Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has achieved a remarkable milestone at the overseas box office. Dominic Arun's directorial is wreaking havoc in the international markets, and has topped $10 million gross collection in just 11 days. With this feat, Dulquer Salmaan's production has placed itself among the rare Malayalam films to touch such numbers internationally. The film's overseas performance is particularly significant as it has joined the elite club of Malayalam movies led by Mohanlal's Empuraan and Thudarum in the $10 million club. Before 2025, not a single Malayalam film reached $10 million overseas box office milestone, and now, the industry has three titles in the coveted club. In 11 days, it has grossed 91 crores ($10.3+ million). Superstar Mohanlal's L2: Empuraan is currently the highest-grossing Mollywood film with 124.50 crores ($13.75+ million), followed by his Thudarum with 94 crores ($10.50+ million). Industry experts attribute the movie's success to its universal appeal, a strong narrative rooted in mythological fantasy, and Kalyani's standout performance, which has received glowing reviews. The film was made on a budget of 30 crores, which is comparatively very low than the average movie of Bollywood, Kollywood, and Tollywood. Meanwhile, at the worldwide box office, Lokah is nearing 200 crores gross. It has grossed approximately 185+ crores through the second weekend (11 days). It will cross the milestone in a day or two, and then will begin its race to become the highest-grossing Malayalam film, while having a real shot at becoming the first 300 crores Mollywood blockbuster of all time. Stay tuned...

Lokah Box Office: Kalyani Priyadarshan's Superhero Blockbuster Revives Mollywood's 300 Crore Dream
276 days ago
Mollywood

Lokah Box Office: Kalyani Priyadarshan's Superhero Blockbuster Revives Mollywood's 300 Crore Dream

Kochi, September 6 - The Malayalam film industry, known for its storytelling brilliance but traditionally limited market reach, has often aspired to match the massive box office benchmarks set by Bollywood, Tollywood, and Kollywood. Over the last couple of years, the industry has tried to unlock its full potential by delivering multiple 200 crores grossers, but something is still left there to achieve. While Bollywood, Tollywood, and Kollywood are frequently breaching the milestone of 300 crores worldwide gross, Malayalam cinema is yet to get there, despite coming close to it on a few occasions. Mohanlal's Empuraan (267 crores) was the closest to achieving this landmark box office figure, but ultimately fell short due to mixed word of mouth despite record-shattering openings. There has been a question that which upcoming movie could potentially unlock the coveted box office milestone. While not yet achieved, with Kalyani Priyadarshan-fronted superhero film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, the industry seems to have found its strongest contender yet. The film has struck a chord with audiences thanks to its growing pan-India appeal, high production values, and Kalyani's career-defining performance. What sets Lokah apart is not just its scale but the overwhelmingly positive reception it has received from both critics and general moviegoers. Unlike Empuraan, which fizzled out after the initial robust collection, Lokah is showing strong legs at the box office, hinting at a healthy long run ahead. In just 10 days (including the second Saturday), Lokah Chapter 1 has already grossed nearly 170 crores worldwide, and is expected to be around 200 crores by the end of the second weekend. The film is currently facing capacity issues, with shows running houseful in multiple territories amid intense competition from other releases. While the capacity issue is stopping the film from performing to its full potential, it is expected to fuel stronger weekday holds as audiences continue to flock to theatres. The film's prospects look brighter outside the home state, Kerala, where it is performing excellently. The rest of the Indian market, especially Telugu states, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, are coming handy for the movie, while overseas is performing like a beast. This expanding reach is crucial for Lokah to stand a real chance of getting to the 300 crores club, as Mollywood has traditionally been reliant on its home state, Kerala, along with the Gulf. The fact that Lokah is performing strongly across languages and regions gives it a unique edge, positioning it as Mollywood’s best shot yet at rewriting box office history. While the journey to the 300 crore landmark is still a long one, the trajectory is promising. If Lokah sustains its momentum through word of mouth and secures additional screen space in the coming weeks, it could very well become the first Malayalam film to join the elite 300 crore club. The Malayalam industry has been on a rise in the post-pandemic era, and the trade believes that if not Lokah, there will come a movie very soon which will get to the 300 crores milestone. But for now, the industry hopes that India's first female superhero blockbuster turns that dream into a reality.

Akshay Kumar Flags Off Lokah Hindi Release As Kalyani Priyadarshan's Superhero Film Storms Into Record 100 Crore Worldwide
279 days ago
Mollywood

Akshay Kumar Flags Off Lokah Hindi Release As Kalyani Priyadarshan's Superhero Film Storms Into Record 100 Crore Worldwide

Mumbai, September 3 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, who is shooting for director Priyadarshan's crime thriller Haiwaan in Kerala, has lauded Kalyani Priyadarshan and the team of Malayalam blockbuster Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra for the stupendous box office success, while sending the best wishes for the film's Hindi release. Taking to the social media platform X, Akshay heaps high praise for the acting chops of Kalyani as he wrote, "Talent runs in the family... suna thaa, ab dekh liya! Hearing lovely things about the brilliant acting chops of @kalyanipriyan, Priyadarshan Sir's daughter. My best wishes to her and the entire team of #Lokah on their Hindi version release. More power." Talent runs in the family…suna thaa, ab dekh liya! Hearing lovely things about the brilliant acting chops of @kalyanipriyan, Priyadarshan Sir’s daughter. My best wishes to her and the entire team of #Lokah on their Hindi version release. More power 🙌— Jolly Mishra - Asli Jolly from Kanpur (@akshaykumar) September 3, 2025 Meanwhile, Dominic Arun's directorial superhero blockbuster has stormed past the 100 crores box office worldwide in just 7 days, becoming the first female-led South Indian film to achieve the milestone. It is also among the fastest Malayalam films to hit 100 crores globally. In Hindi, it will be released on September 4. Kalyani, daughter of acclaimed filmmaker Priyadarshan, has steadily built her reputation in South Indian cinema, but Lokah marks a true turning point in her career. Her powerful portrayal of Chandra has not only resonated with audiences but also proven that female-led films can achieve blockbuster status on par with mainstream star-driven projects. Stay tuned...

Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra Creates History, Becomes Highest-Grossing Female-Led South Indian Film
280 days ago
Mollywood

Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra Creates History, Becomes Highest-Grossing Female-Led South Indian Film

Kochi, September 2 - Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra scripts a major win for the female-led films as it has created history by becoming the highest-grossing South Indian film of all time. The film, which was released to decent anticipation, has stormed the box office by collecting over 80 crores gross worldwide in just 5 days. It has become the highest-grossing female-led film in South Indian cinema history on its 6th day, by beating Keerthi Suresh's Mahanati (84+ crores) as the worldwide total is expected to be over 90 crores at the end of the day. For years, female-centric films in South cinema have been celebrated for their critical acclaim and path-breaking storytelling, but only a few managed to set benchmarks commercially. Until now, Mahanati (84.5 crores), Rudhrama Devi (82 crores), Arundhati (68.5 crores), and Bhagamathie (64 crores) held the top spots in this category. With Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra racing past these films in less than a week, the film has rewritten box office history. The top 5 biggest South Indian female-led grossers are dominated by the lady superstar Anushka Shetty, with three films, which were released in the era of male dominance. Those films (Rudhrama Devi, Arundhati, Bhagamathie) will be miles ahead of Lokah if adjusted with inflation, but with non-inflation, the Malayalam blockbuster has claimed the title. Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Big Moment Kalyani, daughter of acclaimed filmmaker Priyadarshan, has steadily built her reputation in South Indian cinema, but Lokah marks a true turning point in her career. Her powerful portrayal of Chandra has not only resonated with audiences but also proven that female-led films can achieve blockbuster status on par with mainstream star-driven projects. Stay tuned...

The Future of Superhero Lokah Franchise Revealed: Promises To Be An Epic Conclusion
280 days ago
Mollywood

The Future of Superhero Lokah Franchise Revealed: Promises To Be An Epic Conclusion

Kochi, September 2 - The Malayalam cinema has its own Marvellous beginning of the superhero franchise, Lokah. The first part of the series, Lokah Chapter 1 - Chandra, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, was released recently amid glowing reviews, which led the movie to do wonders at the box office. Directed by Dominic Arun, Chandra has set the box office on fire, and scored the third biggest opening weekend ever for Malayalam cinema with 66 crores gross collection worldwide. This is by far the biggest Mollywood opening for a female-led title, and also for the superhero genre, which, anyway, is largely unexplored. Chandra featured post-credit scenes, featuring Dulquer Salmaan, who is also the producer of the film, and Tovino Thomas, as both will lead the next chapters of the franchise. As the anticipation is now all-time high for what will be going to unfold in the Lokah universe, the details regarding its future have been revealed. During the recent interview, cinematographer Nimish Ravi reportedly revealed that Lokah will be a five-part epic saga, where each film will be bigger than the last one. He also revealed that the director has already locked the stories for all five movies, which means the next film in the franchise will start rolling soon. Going by Ravi's words, Lokah will have a Marvel-esque conclusion where the heroes of the Lokah universe are likely to fight the main villain of it. If people are wondering who could be the main villain, he revealed that right from the opening scene of Chandra, there is a hidden clue about the ultimate villain of the series. With the astonishing success of Chandra, it is needless to say that the sky will be the limit for the next film. Stay tuned...

Lokah Worldwide Box Office Day 4: Kalyani Priyadarshan's Superhero Saga Takes Flight With Blockbuster Weekend
281 days ago
Mollywood

Lokah Worldwide Box Office Day 4: Kalyani Priyadarshan's Superhero Saga Takes Flight With Blockbuster Weekend

Kochi, September 1 - The Malayalam superhero spectacle Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen, has a massive extended opening weekend at the worldwide box office. Directed by Dominic Arun, the film has struck gold with audiences, setting new benchmarks for Malayalam cinema. On Sunday (Day 4), Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films production registered its biggest day yet in India, grossing over 11.50 crores, a remarkable jump that highlighted its growing momentum. This pushed the film's domestic total to approximately 28.25+ crores gross, which is among the all-time biggest for Malayalam cinema. The superhero drama has also been a massive hit overseas. With consecutive 20+ crore worldwide days, the film's overall tally now stands at 65+ crores worldwide after its extended four-day opening weekend. If the current estimates hold, Lokah will comfortably rank among the top 5 biggest Malayalam openers of all time, joining an elite list of top stars' blockbusters that have elevated the industry's stature in the global market. Lokah's impressive box office run signals a new chapter for Malayalam cinema, proving that the industry can deliver large-scale, globally appealing spectacles while retaining strong storytelling. Kalyani Priyadarshan’s turn as a superheroine has struck a chord with both youth and family audiences, while Dominic Arun's direction, Jakes Bejoy's BGM and Dulquer Salmaan's production vision have been widely praised. What is Next For Lokah Chapter 1? After the massive opening weekend, which has taken the trade, including the distributors, by surprise, the sky is the limit for the superhero film. It has turned into a box office phenomenon that isn't going to stop anytime soon. The advances for Monday are super strong and better than the opening day. With the current trend, the film is very likely to enter the 100 crores club worldwide in the opening week itself. All eyes will be on what happens next after it achieves this inevitable milestone. Stay tuned...

Lokah Worldwide Box Office Day 3: Kalyani Priyadarshan's Superhero Flick Packs a Mighty Punch
282 days ago
Mollywood

Lokah Worldwide Box Office Day 3: Kalyani Priyadarshan's Superhero Flick Packs a Mighty Punch

Kochi, August 31 - The Malayalam cinema's Marvel-sque blockbuster Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, fronted by Kalyani Priyadarshan, is proving to be a force at the global box office. The film started as an underdog, but turned into a phenomenon with excellent growth over the weekend. After the better-than-expected opening (Thursday), followed by big growth on Friday, the film witnessed another excellent jump of over 65% on Saturday (Day 3), taking its worldwide collection to impressive new heights. On its third day, Lokah grossed around 20 crores worldwide, marking its biggest single-day total so far. The growth came both from the domestic market and overseas territories, showcasing its wide appeal. In India, the superhero saga grossed around 8.50 crores, while overseas collection was 11-12 crores. With Saturday's extraordinary performance, Lokah has reached a 3-day worldwide total of around 39–40+ crores gross. The upward trend has not only solidified the film's position at the box office but also opened the gates for an even bigger Sunday haul. The film has been riding high on positive reviews and strong word of mouth, especially for Kalyani Priyadarshan’s refreshing take on a homegrown superhero. With momentum on its side, Lokah is expected to soar further on Sunday and finish its first weekend with a massive total of 60+ crores gross. If the trend continues, the film could be on course to hit the ₹100 crore worldwide club in the opening week itself, making it one of the strongest openers in Malayalam cinema. Stay tuned...

Hridayapoorvam vs Lokah Day 2 Box Office: Kalyani Priyadarshan's Superhero Film Outshines Mohanlal's Family Drama
284 days ago
Mollywood

Hridayapoorvam vs Lokah Day 2 Box Office: Kalyani Priyadarshan's Superhero Film Outshines Mohanlal's Family Drama

Kochi, August 30 - The Onam box office clash between Mohanlal's family comedy drama Hridayapoorvam and Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero spectacle Lokah Chapter 1 – Chandra has taken a drastic turn on Day 2 after the former winning the opening day battle at the domestic and worldwide box office. What looked like a comfortable lead for Hridayapoorvam after its solid opening has now shifted gears, as Lokah gained major momentum powered by positive word of mouth. On its opening day, Mohanlal's Hridayapoorvam emerged as the bigger film with around 8.50 crores gross worldwide against Lokah's 6.50+ crores gross, but by Day 2, the tables had turned. Lokah, with its fresh superhero theme and youth appeal, saw a sharp jump in occupancy across urban centres, especially in multiplexes and late-night shows. The film's strong reception among Gen Z as well as families has clearly given it an edge, as it grossed over 10 crores worldwide on the second day, while Mohanlal-starrer made around 7 crores. Lokah not only matched but overtook Hridayapoorvam in almost every key territory, including Kerala and overseas. The buzz on social media is also playing a huge role, as clips and fan reviews praising Kalyani's performance perfectly blend with the superhero theme, pulling more audiences to theatres. Meanwhile, Hridayapoorvam—though still performing decently—appears to be settling into a more steady run after its big holiday push. With Sunday and the festive weekend ahead, both films still have plenty of scope, but Lokah is now being seen as the frontrunner in this clash. After two days of the box office run, Lokah is leading at around 18 crores gross, against Hridayapoorvam, which has minted approximately 15 crores worldwide. The big question: will Lokah's superhero fever continue to rise through the weekend, or will Hridayapoorvam bounce back with family footfalls? Either way, this clash has turned the Onam season into one of the most exciting box office battles of the year. Stay tuned...

Hridayapoorvam vs Lokah Chapter 1 Box Office Day 1: Mohanlal's Family Drama Wins Opening As Kalyani Priyadarshan's Superhero Saga Emerges As Dark Horse
285 days ago
Mollywood

Hridayapoorvam vs Lokah Chapter 1 Box Office Day 1: Mohanlal's Family Drama Wins Opening As Kalyani Priyadarshan's Superhero Saga Emerges As Dark Horse

Kochi, August 28 - The Malayalam film industry has its moment, once again, as two of its most-anticipated films - Hridayapoorvam and Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra - open big at the box office during the Onam holiday period, despite clashing against each other on the same day and date. The Mollywood industry normally doesn't indulge in the box office clashes, but to get the advantage of the Onam holidays, superstar Mohanlal's family comedy drama Hridayapoorvam was pitched against Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero film Lokah, and the gamble seems to have worked as both films open with positive reception and solid openings at the box office. The opening day battle is won by the Mohanlal-starrer, which has scored 3.80 crores gross collection in India and 8.35 crores worldwide. However, the movie got tough competition from Lokah, which looks like going to be a major box office winner. Despite clashing with the Malayalam titan, the first instalment in the filmmaker Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Cinematic Universe has taken a very good start of around 3.15 crores gross in India and over 6.50 crores worldwide. The critics' reviews and audience reception for Lokah are super positive, and seeing the opening day box office trajectory, it is going to rule the opening extended Onam weekend domestically, especially in Kerala. If early signs are anything to go by, the Kalyani Priyadarshan-fronted superhero saga could emerge as a big blockbuster in the long run. Trade experts note that while Hridayapoorvam has secured a bigger opening day tally, the sustainability of Lokah Chapter 1 could shift the momentum as the weekend progresses, as the superhero genre can explode if audience reception is on the positive side. Chandra has the potential to grow stronger in the coming days, much like earlier cult successes in regional cinema. Stay tuned...