The film L2: Empuraan, featuring renowned actors Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran, has reportedly shattered all box-office records within the Malayalam film industry. According to recent statements from the filmmakers, which have been widely circulated among fan groups, the team accepted a challenge posed by G Suresh Kumar, a senior official of the Kerala Film Producers Association, to "identify a Malayalam film that has achieved a Rs 100 Cr theatre share."

Fan communities have been actively sharing posts asserting that Empuraan has surpassed Rs 230 Cr in global gross revenue and achieved Rs 100 Cr in theatre share. For those unfamiliar with the term, theatre share refers to the portion of revenue that directly benefits the film's producer. To illustrate, if a film generates an overall gross of Rs 100, 30% is allocated for taxes, leaving 70% to be divided among producers, distributors, and exhibitors. In the first week, the producer receives 50% of this share, which increases to 55% in the second week and 65% from the third week onward, as previously clarified by Anil V Thomas, an official from the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC).

G Suresh Kumar reacts to Empuraan's Rs 100 Cr theatre share claim

In an exclusive interview, Suresh Kumar acknowledges the potential for Empuraan to achieve a theatre share of Rs 100 Cr. “However, that milestone has not yet been reached,” he states. “It could occur in the upcoming week. Within the first five days, the film generated Rs 30 Cr in theatre share solely from Kerala. Currently, it is estimated to be around Rs 40-45 Cr. Additionally, the film is expected to have earned another Rs 40 Cr from other regions in India and international markets.”

The previous Malayalam film that recorded the highest theatre share for its producers was Manjummel Boys, which, according to the KFCC, was reported to be under Rs 50 Cr. Regarding this figure, Suresh expresses skepticism, stating, “I question whether Manjummel Boys actually made that amount, as they likely extrapolated the theatre share from outside Kerala. In contrast, Empuraan has indeed generated significant revenue from international theatres.”

Despite this, Producer Suresh Kumar remains uncertain if the revenue will be sufficient to cover the film's production costs. “The collections have begun to decline. The film may only have a three-week run, primarily due to the controversy that has helped maintain its momentum. In any Antony Perumbavoor production, there tends to be a controversy that boosts initial openings for the films. I also suspect that this might be the reason he posted something against me,” he adds.

Empuraan's success spurs on other producers in Malayalam cinema?

Inquire whether the remarkable success of Empuraan has inspired confidence among Malayalam producers, and he responds, “It is indeed a significant accomplishment, but it does not imply that every project will be equally successful. Such occurrences are rare. If others rush to replicate Empuraan's success, they may find themselves facing setbacks. Additionally, the controversy surrounding the film contributed to its box office performance.”

The producer, who previously faced backlash for disclosing Empuraan’s budget, now expresses uncertainty regarding the film's actual production costs. “The film has been produced on a grand scale. I faced criticism when I estimated the budget at approximately Rs 141 Cr, and now the figure has escalated to Rs 228 Cr. If the latter is accurate, it would clearly represent a loss for the producer. Therefore, we cannot ascertain the level of confidence it instills in others until we receive the correct financial details,” he concludes.

Read Also: Tigmanshu Dhulia Remembers Making Poor Tea for Shah Rukh Khan in 1994

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!