Mohanlal starrer highly anticipated film L2: Empuraan has been making waves at the box office, setting new records with its bookings. The film raked in approximately ₹80 crores in pre-sales, surpassing previous benchmarks. Within just four days of its theatrical release, L2: Empuraan amassed ₹60 crores in domestic box office collections, reaffirming its status as one of the most successful films in Malayalam cinema history.
Despite its commercial success, L2: Empuraan has been embroiled in controversy due to alleged indirect references to the Gujarat riots. The inclusion of politically sensitive themes in the film has sparked widespread debate, leading to backlash from certain sections of the audience and political groups.
Mohanlal Issues Public Apology
Following the uproar, Mohanlal took to Social Media to address the concerns of his fans and the general public. In his heartfelt note, he acknowledged the distress caused by certain scenes in the film and assured viewers that corrective action would be taken.
“I have come to know that some of the political and social themes that have come into play in L2: Empuraan, the second part of the Lucifer franchise, have caused great distress to many of my loved ones. As an artist, it is my duty to ensure that none of my films harbours hatred towards any political movement, ideology, or section,” Mohanlal wrote in Malayalam.
He further emphasized that the entire Empuraan team takes full responsibility for the concerns raised. “Therefore, the Empuraan team and I are deeply sorry for the distress caused to my loved ones. With the realization that the responsibility lies with all of us behind the film, we have decided together to remove such subjects from the film,” he added.
CBFC Intervenes: 17 Changes Ordered
Following the controversy, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) stepped in, ordering 17 modifications to the film. The intervention reportedly came after directives from the central government, urging the filmmakers to revise politically sensitive portions.
The CBFC’s Kerala office conducted a thorough review of the film and issued a directive to the production team to make the necessary edits. If the revised version of L2: Empuraan is submitted by Monday, it is expected to be approved for screening in the coming days.
Director Prithviraj Sukumaran and Star-Studded Cast
Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, L2: Empuraan serves as the sequel to Lucifer, one of Malayalam cinema’s biggest blockbusters. The film boasts an ensemble cast featuring Prithviraj himself, Tovino Thomas, Abhimanyu Singh, and Manju Warrier alongside Mohanlal in the lead role.
Touted as one of the most expensive productions in the history of Malayalam cinema, the film continues to draw massive crowds despite the controversy surrounding it.
What’s Next for Mohanlal starrer L2: Empuraan
While the controversy has led to revisions in the film, L2: Empuraan is expected to continue its strong run at the box office. The changes mandated by the CBFC are likely to be implemented swiftly, ensuring the film remains accessible to a wider audience without further disputes.
Fans of Mohanlal and the Lucifer franchise remain hopeful that the revised version of the film will retain its gripping narrative while avoiding politically charged content that could alienate certain sections of viewers.
