Santhy Balachandran is carving her niche in Malayalam cinema not just as a distinguished actor, but now also as a formidable screenwriter. Having begun her journey in theatre and film, she transitioned into writing with Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, a national hit that redefined the superhero genre in Indian regional cinema.
As the film marks a major milestone not just as Malayalam’s first female superhero saga, but also as the first high-profile script credit for Santhy, who has received acclaim from both critics and her co-stars. Let’s have a look at the woman behind the story.
Santhy Balachandran went from academia to acting
Santhy is originally from Kottayam, Kerala, and she pursued anthropology at Oxford after completing her studies at Hyderabad Central University. However, her heart was deeply rooted in the arts, prompting her to transition from academia to a career in acting. From a young age, she was deeply drawn to creative hobbies like painting, theatre, and stage performance, which were constant companions to her even during her academic journey. Santhy attended Oxford University in 2011 for her postgraduate degree in anthropology.
Theatre beginnings for Santhy Balachandran
Santhy had a bright future in academics; however, she gave it all up to pursue a career in acting. Santhy returned to Kochi and took on the lead role in Harold Pinter’s The Lover, directed by Sanal Aman. She has also acted in plays, including A Very Normal Family, directed by Roshan Mathew, where she played Sweety. She was approached to play the role after her performance in The Lover. After the play, she was approached by director Dominic Arun with an offer of a role in his film, Tharangam.
Santhy Balachandran’s acting career
After catching the eye of director, Dominic Arun, she was cast in his debut film Tharangam. The film, which was released on 29 September 2017, was a Malayalam-language fantasy black comedy that marked not only Santhy’s screen debut but also the first Malayalam film from Wunderbar Films, produced by Dhanush. The film, featuring Tovino Thomas and Balu Varghese alongside Santhy, featured music composed by Ashwin Renju
Santhy Balachandran built herself an acting legacy
Ever since her debut, Santhy has carved a reputation for herself with powerful performances in films like Jallikkattu, which was India’s official Oscar submission for a feature film, Paapam Cheyyathavar Kalleriyatte, and Ennennum. She has experimented with different genres and languages as well when it comes to playing a part in cinema. She was part of Gulmohar, a Hindi-language film, and Sweet Kaaram Coffee, a Tamil series.
Santhy Balachandran wrote for Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra
In 2024-25, Santhy Balachandran reunited with director Dominic Arun; this time, she stepped into a behind-the-scenes role and joined as co-writer for Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. Her contribution extended well beyond the writing of the script; she was one of the fundamental members who helped the film establish its narrative voice. She helped shape the story’s tone and even participated actively in promotional campaigns, highlighting her as the creative heartbeat of the project.
Santhy Balachandran was praised by the industry for her work
While Kalyani Priyadarshan glitters in the spotlight as ‘Chandra’, it’s Santhy Balachandran who emerges as an equally compelling creative force behind Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. As Kalyani herself put it, Santhy was not just a writer but the biggest creative force who played an indispensable role in everything from the storyline to promotions to make the film a success. This praise wasn’t limited to the leading lady.
Renowned filmmaker, Aashiq Abu and actress, Rima Kallingal have also publicly acknowledged Santhy’s powerful vision, applauding her ability to craft a richly nuanced, female-led superhero narrative that resonates deeply.
After the film’s overwhelming success, Santhy took to social media to thank her parents for their unwavering support and love that they have provided her with. Even after she had abandoned a stable academic journey at Oxford for chasing her dreams, her parents stood by her. She credited them for giving her both ‘wings and roots.’
About Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, released on August 28, 2025, was a Malayalam superhero film directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan. It introduces ‘Chandra’, portrayed by Kalyani Priyadarshan, a powerful yakshi whose mysterious origins are intertwined with Kerala folklore. When she arrives in Bengaluru, her nocturnal existence catches the attention of quirky neighbours, ‘Sunny’ and ‘Venu’, setting off a journey filled with myth, identity and supernatural conflict.
The film made a striking impact on its opening weekend box office, garnering nearly Rs. 25 crore, and from then on, it has risen to become one of the top Malayalam hits of 2025. Audiences and critics alike have applauded its vibrant visual style, strong central performance, and inventive storytelling, celebrating it as a bold new direction for Indian regional cinema.
Santhy Balachandran’s journey from academia to stage, films, and now screenwriting is a story of continuous reinvention, and creative richness. She continues to gain audiences’ love as a multi-talented figure who is taking the Malayalam cinema forward.
Also Read: Meet Kannada TV Host, Anushree’s Husband, Roshan, Ex IT Professional, Entrepreneur, Not A Celebrity