Although initially marketed as a mass entertainer, the highly anticipated film L2: Empuraan, featuring Mohanlal and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, carries significant political implications. The narrative opens with an extensive portrayal of the 2002 Gujarat riots, positioning one of the individuals involved as the main antagonist. This sensitive representation has sparked a political controversy in Kerala, with right-wing factions criticizing both Mohanlal and Prithviraj, while the Congress and Left parties have rallied in support of the film. 

As the second installment in the Lucifer trilogy created by the Prithviraj-Mohanlal collaboration, the film has ignited discussions regarding its critique of right-wing ideologies and its subtle references to the Gujarat riots.

On its opening day, the Sangh Parivar expressed strong disapproval of the film on social media, while the Congress and certain Left factions praised it for depicting right-wing politics as "villainous."

In response to the ensuing debate, scriptwriter Murali Gopy, whom Sukumaran regards as his ‘co-creator,’ has chosen to remain neutral, asserting that everyone is entitled to their own interpretation of the film. “I will maintain complete silence on the controversy. Let them engage in their disputes. Everyone has the right to interpret the film in their own way,” Gopy stated to PTI.

Right-wing slams film, but BJP distances itself from row

Certain right-wing media outlets, including Sanatana Dharma, have labeled the film as "anti-Hindu," claiming that Prithviraj has misled Mohanlal and his supporters by producing such a work. In contrast, the BJP's state unit has opted to remain neutral regarding the issue, stating that viewers are entitled to share their opinions after viewing the film.

BJP state general secretary P. Sudheer emphasized that the party is not initiating any campaign against the film. "The film will proceed on its own path, and the party will continue its activities. The party will remain unaffected by any film. Members of the Sangh Parivar have the right to voice their opinions, and it is up to the audience to determine its merit," he remarked to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.

Congress supports L2: Empuraan

Kerala State Youth Congress president and Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil, who praised Empuraan as a pan-Indian film that speaks Malayalam, said the hate campaign against Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Murali Gopy over its political content cannot be accepted in any way. “The same people who advocated freedom of expression for films based on unfounded lies and religious hatred like Kashmir Files and Kerala Story, have now come out against Empuraan,” he said in a Facebook post on Friday.

The state unit of Congress also utilized X (formerly Twitter) to mock its detractors: “Individuals who have never visited Kerala asserted that their tax-exempt C-grade propaganda film represented ‘the real Kerala story’... now, a high-quality Malayalam film reveals their actual motives, and they are unable to cope with it.”

Empuraan at the box office

The ongoing controversy appears to have had no impact on the film's box office performance. Empuraan shattered opening day collection records in Malayalam cinema, generating ₹24.50 crore in India and ₹67 crore globally on its first day. The producers, Aashirvaad Cinemas, announced via social media that the film, featuring Mohanlal, surpassed ₹100 crore worldwide within just two days, marking the quickest achievement for any Malayalam film.

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