A new female superhero film, Lokah, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, has truly taken the cinematic world by storm. It’s not just a critical darling but also a massive box-office hit, captivating audiences across India with its original Malayalam version and popular dubbed releases in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.
But to truly appreciate Lokah‘s impact, we must journey back to 1984. That year, Madras witnessed the grand release of My Dear Kuttichathan, India’s groundbreaking first 3D film. Its novelty was, of course, the immersive 3D experience, but audiences were equally drawn to its enchanting narrative: a tale of a friendly spirit, deeply rooted in Kerala’s rich mythological traditions.
In the vibrant lore of Malabar, the Kuttichathan is revered as both a divine entity and a benevolent guiding spirit. Numerous shrines, big and small, are dedicated to this playful figure, known for his love of toddy, dried fish, and a special bond with dogs.
By skillfully weaving together mythology and popular belief, My Dear Kuttichathan captivated audiences, especially children and families. It leaned more towards comedy than horror, reminiscent of Kamal Haasan’s Kalyanaraman films. Viewers at theaters like Devi Paradise would famously duck their heads in playful reflex as 3D stones appeared to fly past, adding to the communal joy.
My Dear Kuttichathan also found its place as a nuanced blend, balancing the spectrum of Malayalam cinema that often ranged from provocative to sophisticated procedural dramas like Oru CBI Diary Kurippu. Fast forward to today, and Lokah beautifully carries this legacy, fusing a contemporary setting with a rich mythical past and introducing a vengeful spirit, all while paying subtle homage to the 1984 classic.
In a memorable cameo, Tovino Thomas’s Chathan mirrors the original Kuttichathan by gracefully descending upside down from the ceiling. While the earlier film featured a child spirit, Lokah presents a grown-up Chathan, yet he retains that mischievous charm of a school’s back-bencher. These narrative echoes skillfully connect the two films.
Both films share another striking parallel: their pan-Indian appeal through multi-language casting and extensive dubbed versions. My Dear Kuttichathan was famously known as Chotta Chetan in Hindi. Across both the 80s classic and today’s hit, mythology is reimagined, imbuing these guiding spirits with an essence of kindness and protective care.
Kerala’s ‘yakshi’ tales are legendary, often whispered to encourage stubborn children to finish their meals. These stories also carry a hint of the macabre, provoking nervous chuckles and shivers among adults.
Just like My Dear Kuttichathan before it, Lokah successfully brings these ancient narratives to a broader audience, delivering a captivating sense of wonder. A delightful touch is the appearance of Raghunath Paleri, the original writer of My Dear Kuttichathan, in a role within Lokah. This truly highlights the profound and enduring connections between these two remarkable films, spanning back to 1984.