Lokah Chapter 1 box office collection day 8: Dulquer Salmaan’s film is the third-biggest Malayalam hit of 2025; earns Rs 106 cr

Lokah landed in some controversy after a line calling Bengaluru “capital of drugs and crime” was labelled as problematic by Kannada filmmakers. In response, Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, along with Raj B Shetty’s Lighter Buddha Films, issued an apology and assured the public that they would edit the offensive line out. “It has come to our attention that a dialogue delivered by one of the characters in our film Lokah: Chapter One has unintentionally hurt the sentiments of people from Karnataka. At Wayfarer Films, we place people above everything else. We deeply regret this oversight and assure you that no offence was intended. The dialogue in question will be removed/edited at the earliest. We sincerely apologise for the hurt caused and humbly request you to accept our apology.”

In the last few days, actors Alia Bhatt and Akshay Kumar, and filmmakers Sanjay Gupta and Priyadarshan, who is the father of the film’s lead actor, have praised the film. In a chat with Onmanorama Online, Priyadarshan spoke about his daughter’s film, and said, “She only tells me about her projects after she completes them. It’s the same with her latest releases.” He added, “She is the kind of person who will update you on her latest projects only after wrapping them up and showing up at home.”

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Earlier this year, Alappuzha Gymkhana, another Malayalam hit, managed to earn Rs 44.25 crore in India, and grossed around Rs 70 crore worldwide. The movie also featured Naslen. Rekhachithram, which also did well, earned around Rs 26.6 crore nett in India, and around Rs 57 crore globally. Lokah Chapter 1 is currently third-biggest Malayalam film of the year after Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan and Thudarum. Thudarum earned Rs 121 crore in India, and Rs 234 crore globally. And L2: Empuraan, which had a pan-Indian release, earned Rs 105 crore in India, and Rs 265 crore worldwide.