Malayalam cinema is experiencing a golden phase where content is king, and films with powerful storytelling are taking center stage. Two films—Hridayapoorvam and Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra—have been at the heart of the conversation, capturing the imagination of cinephiles across india and overseas. With both films completing eight days at the box office, the big question is: Which one lost the overseas market battle? Let’s break it down.

1. Clash of Titans: Two Contrasting malayalam Gems

While bollywood was buzzing with the clash of Coolie and War 2, mollywood brought its own box-office duel. Hridayapoorvam, a soulful romantic drama led by Mohanlal, locked horns with Lokah, a high-octane superhero fantasy starring kalyani Priyadarshan.

Hridayapoorvam banked on emotions, relationships, and timeless storytelling.

Lokah, on the other hand, offered spectacle, VFX, and world-building, pulling in audiences seeking grand cinematic experiences.

2. Hridayapoorvam Day 8: Romance Wins Hearts, But Numbers Plateau

According to Sacnilk’s early estimates, Hridayapoorvam collected Rs 2.30 crore on Day 8, showing a minor rise compared to Wednesday. Its India total now stands at Rs 20.34 crore.

Key Highlights:

Entered the Rs 50-crore worldwide club by the end of its first week.

Stronger pull in family audiences and Tier-2 cities.

Overseas markets saw a decent response, especially in the Middle East, but couldn’t match the hype of Lokah.

3. Lokah Day 8: Superhero Saga Powers Ahead

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has emerged as the box-office beast of the season. On Day 8, it collected Rs 8 crore in India, taking the domestic total to Rs 54.35 crore.

Key Highlights:

Entered the Rs 100-crore worldwide club with ease.

Registered one of the highest openings for a malayalam film overseas, thanks to strong demand in the UAE, USA, and Australia.

Fastest malayalam film in 2025 to cross the Rs 50-crore mark in India.

4. Overseas Market Battle: Who Lost?

This is where the real tussle gets interesting. Both films found audiences abroad, but Lokah had a clear edge.

Hridayapoorvam Overseas Response:
The film touched hearts but faced limited screens and lesser hype. Emotional dramas usually perform well in the gulf countries, and it indeed did, but collections didn’t skyrocket.

Lokah Overseas Response:
With its superhero theme and pan-Indian release in multiple languages (Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu), Lokah catered to a larger demographic. Overseas distributors invested heavily, ensuring the film’s dominance.

Verdict: Hridayapoorvam lost the overseas battle, while Lokah established itself as a global malayalam blockbuster.

5. Storytelling vs Spectacle: Why Both Films Still Win

Even though Lokah won in numbers, Hridayapoorvam is far from a loser. Both films stand tall for different reasons:

Hridayapoorvam proves that simple, soulful cinema still finds takers.

Lokah shows that Malayalam cinema can compete with superhero universes globally.

Together, they highlight the diversity and strength of Mollywood.

6. The Road Ahead: Week 2 Predictions

Hridayapoorvam is expected to maintain steady footfalls during weekends but may slow down in weekdays due to competition.

Lokah will likely dominate Week 2 as word-of-mouth remains strong and new regions open up internationally.

If trends continue, Lokah could even eye the Rs 150-crore milestone, a historic feat for a malayalam film.

7. Final Takeaway: Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story

At the end of the day, both Hridayapoorvam and Lokah have made malayalam cinema proud. One ruled the hearts, the other ruled the charts. And while Hridayapoorvam may have lost the overseas battle, it carved a niche of its own that will be remembered for years.

Winner Overseas: Lokah
Winner of Hearts: Hridayapoorvam

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