Why is some Santhy Balachandran popping in your feed? The untold story of the force behind 'Lokah Chapter 1'

Malayalam cinema’s newest superhero film Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra has become a talking point at the box office and online. While the film’s leads Kalyani Priyadarshan and Naslen have drawn attention, another name has steadily risen in discussions—Santhy Balachandran.

Known earlier for her acting work, Santhy stepped into a new role for this project as co-writer. With the film gaining strong collections in India and overseas, her journey from theatre to Oxford University to Malayalam cinema has become a story in itself. And that is one to be witnessed and read about - read on.

The Shift From Academia to Performance

Santhy grew up in Kottayam and studied anthropology, first at Hyderabad Central University and later at Oxford University. Though her academic path was set, she gradually moved towards the arts. Theatre became her first medium, with performances in productions such as The Lover and A Very Normal Family.

Her stage work opened doors to cinema. Director Dominic Arun cast her in his debut film Tharangam in 2017. That entry into films led to further collaborations across Malayalam cinema and eventually into Hindi and Tamil projects as well.

Building a Place in Cinema

After Tharangam, Santhy appeared in Jallikkattu, which went on to represent India at the Oscars. Other roles included Paapam Cheyyathavar Kalleriyatte and Ennennum. Each project gave her opportunities to try different kinds of roles. She also expanded beyond Malayalam with Gulmohar in Hindi and Sweet Kaaram Coffee in Tamil.

Her presence in these varied industries showed her interest in not being confined to a single space. Instead, she built a career across languages and forms while continuing to stay connected to theatre.

Writing Lokah with Dominic Arun

Her latest collaboration with Dominic Arun marked a turning point. For Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra, she joined him as co-writer. The film tells the story of Chandra, played by Kalyani Priyadarshan, who travels from Sweden to Bengaluru after a call from a mysterious figure. The narrative mixes personal relationships with a larger mystery, and Santhy’s role in shaping this world has been acknowledged by both the director and actors.

Her involvement extended beyond the script. She played a role in defining how the film reached audiences, becoming part of its creative direction even outside the writing process. In doing so, she moved into a space where acting and writing came together as part of a larger artistic practice.

Recognition From Peers and Audience

The release of Lokah has brought Santhy recognition not just as an actor but also as a screenwriter. Kalyani Priyadarshan has spoken about Santhy’s role as a guiding presence during the film’s making and release. Others within the Malayalam film community have also acknowledged her contribution, pointing to her ability to help shape stories that resonate widely.

This is not the first time she has worked closely with Arun. Earlier, she was assistant director and co-writer on the music video Oblivion. That smaller project served as a bridge to her larger role in Lokah.

Looking Ahead

Santhy is set to continue balancing multiple roles in the coming years apart from already having appeared in several projects so far. She will appear in Sambhava Vivaranam Naalara Sangham while also exploring more writing opportunities. Her decision years ago to leave academia for cinema is now shaping into a body of work that crosses acting, theatre, and writing.

With Lokah opening new ground as a Malayalam superhero saga led by a woman, Santhy’s presence in the film’s creative team signals a widening of her scope in the industry. For her, the story has been less about leaving one field for another and more about carrying skills across disciplines to build something new.

Have you seen the Malayalam film breakout, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra in the theaters already? Let us know in the comments below.