Telugu Movie Actor Mohanlal’s latest Malayalam film, L2 Empuraan, has been caught in controversy after criticism from Hindu nationalist groups. The movie, a sequel to the 2019 hit Lucifer, premiered on Thursday and has been performing well at the box office.
However, some scenes have upset Hindu groups, including members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), due to perceived references to the 2002 Gujarat riots.
In a Facebook post, Mohanlal apologized, stating, “As an artist, it’s my duty to ensure my work doesn’t offend any political or religious group. The film’s team and I regret the distress caused and have decided to make changes.”
The opposition Congress and Left parties have accused the BJP of pressuring the filmmakers, while BJP leaders deny such claims, emphasizing that people have the right to voice opinions on social media.
What’s L2 Empuraan About?
L2 Empuraancontinues the story of Stephen Nedumpally, a mysterious figure who leads a global crime syndicate, originally introduced in Lucifer. Directed by Prithviraj, the film follows Stephen’s efforts to save Kerala’s politics from corrupt forces.
Even before its release, the movie drew attention for its massive budget and high-profile promotions. Opening-day screenings sold out across India and abroad. The film earned roughly $17.5 million in its first weekend, according to Sacnilk.
While fans have appreciated Mohanlal’s performance, critics have been divided. Hindustan Times called it a “confused script with an identity crisis,” while Indian Express noted the lack of emotional depth compared to Lucifer, though it praised Mohanlal’s acting.
The controversy centres on a backstory involving Zayed Masood, played by director Prithviraj. The character is orphaned during religious riots in India, with scenes resembling the 2002 Gujarat violence, where Hindus were seen committing crimes against Muslims.
A flashback also shows one of the perpetrators rising in power and attempting to gain a key position in Kerala politics, which angered several viewers.
iBomma, RSS Magazine Reviews
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who initially wished the film well, later said, “A movie should remain entertainment and not distort history.” Some BJP members accused the film of anti-national themes, while iBomma Movie and the RSS magazine The Organizer Weekly labelled it divisive and dismissive of faith.
Social media saw calls for a boycott, though no large-scale protests or campaigns followed.
Amid the backlash, Gokulam Gopalan, one of the producers, announced changes were being discussed to address concerns. Mohanlal confirmed this, stating that alterations would be made to avoid further offence.
Reports suggest up to 17 edits may be made, including removing a three-minute scene and muting certain lines. However, the final details remain unclear. Despite being cleared by India’s censor board, filmmakers have the option to resubmit for additional cuts.
While the BJP has criticised the film, Kerala’s Communist Party and Congress have defended it. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the “hate campaign” against the movie, calling it an attack on creative freedom.
Congress leader VD Satheesan echoed this sentiment, adding that altering art under pressure undermines democracy. Currently, L2 Empuraan continues to perform strongly in theatres, streaming on platforms like ibomma, despite the ongoing debate.
