Dulquer Salmaan Apologises Over Lokah Bengaluru Controversy

Bengaluru, September 3: The latest Onam blockbuster, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, has found itself in the middle of an unexpected storm. Viewers in Karnataka took offense at a dialogue that calls Bengaluru the “capital of drugs and crime” while also making a remark about the city’s women. The criticism was sharp enough for producer Dulquer Salmaan and his banner, Wayfarer Films, to issue an apology and order the line’s removal.

How The Controversy Erupted

The line was spoken by the villain, played by Sandy, during a confrontation scene. For many Kannada audiences, it was one insult too many. Bengaluru has often been stereotyped in southern films as a place of excess, but this time the reference to women angered viewers further.

Social media lit up with angry posts. A few trending hashtags called for boycotts. “We don’t need films painting our city like this,” wrote one user on X, summing up the mood. Some Kannada film enthusiasts also pointed out that such depictions ignore the city’s reputation as India’s technology hub.

A Swift Apology

Wayfarer Films didn’t wait long. Late on Tuesday, the company released a short note calling the line an “oversight.” It said no disrespect was intended and promised to either cut or alter the dialogue. “At Wayfarer Films, we place people above everything else. We deeply regret this oversight,” the statement read.

In the past, similar rows in the south, whether about Chennai, Hyderabad, or even Kochi, have sometimes led to street protests and political statements. By moving quickly, Dulquer’s team appears to have avoided that escalation.

Box Office Still Strong

What stands out is that the controversy has barely touched ticket sales. According to the Hindustan Times, the film collected ₹39.37 crore net in India in six days. That’s a strong run for any Malayalam film and makes it the clear winner of the Onam holiday frame.

Outside India, the response has been just as solid. As reported by Business Standard, Lokah earned ₹63 crore worldwide in its opening four days. With a Hindi dubbed version releasing on September 4, trade trackers expect the film to race past the ₹100-crore mark soon.

Spotlight On The Writing Team

The screenplay has also drawn attention because of Santhy Balachandran. Better known earlier as an actor in Malayalam indies, Balachandran co-wrote the film with director Dominic Arun. Her unusual journey from pursuing research at Oxford University to shaping a Malayalam superhero narrative has become a talking point in industry circles.

Lead actress Kalyani Priyadarshan credited Balachandran for grounding the story in Kerala’s folklore while giving it the flair of a global blockbuster. That blend, many believe, is what makes Lokah stand apart.

Building A Superhero Universe

This film is only the beginning. Lokah Chapter 1 is being marketed as the first part of a Malayalam superhero universe, with future installments already in development. Comparisons are inevitable with Tovino Thomas’ Minnal Murali and the Weekend Cinematic Universe (WCU), which has hinted at spin-offs.

Unlike those projects, Lokah draws directly from Kerala’s cultural mythology, giving it a unique flavor even while borrowing the spectacle-heavy style of Hollywood.

Why This Matters

The episode shows how sensitive pan-Indian filmmaking has become. What may look like a throwaway line in one language can sound insulting in another state. Audiences are quicker than ever to respond, and producers can’t afford to ignore them.

For Dulquer and his team, the quick apology has worked. The anger hasn’t dented the film’s numbers, and the focus is now back on its commercial run. But the lesson is clear: regional pride remains strong, and filmmakers hoping to cross borders will need to tread carefully.

What’s Next

With the Hindi release around the corner and sequels already planned, Lokah looks set for a long run. The controversy may soon fade, but it has already offered a reminder of how much the landscape has changed. In today’s film business, storytelling ambition has to travel hand in hand with cultural sensitivity.

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Ayesha Khan

Entertainment Correspondent – [email protected] – Web

Covers films, television, streaming, and celebrity culture with a focus on storytelling trends.

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