For forty years, Mohanlal has stood at the forefront of the film industry. Together with Mammootty, he has been a prominent figure in Malayalam cinema since the early 1980s. However, similar to discussions in the northern film industry, there are also talks in the south suggesting that these two may represent the 'last of the superstars' in Kollywood. In an interview with Hindustan Times before the release of his latest film L2: Empuraan, the cinematic icon shared insights about the film, the phenomenon of superstar culture in India, and other related topics.

On the fading superstar culture

When inquired about the alleged decline of the superstar culture, the actor offers a brief reply: "These are merely labels. Terms like megastar and superstar are assigned by the audience. We had the opportunity to act in a multitude of films. I doubt that anyone can now achieve 400-500 films. This is no longer feasible due to the evolution of filmmaking. The overall vision of films has transformed. In the past, success was measured by the number of hits, and it was a gradual process before such titles as megastar or superstar were conferred. They are just titles."

So, will we see more superstars in the future? We pose the question to him. The seasoned actor responds, "Certainly, there will be exceptional actors emerging from the younger generation. They require strong scripts and must collaborate with talented directors and peers. I was fortunate to work alongside remarkable directors and outstanding co-stars. They shaped my career, not the other way around."

On L2: Empuraan and its scale

Empuraan stands as one of the most ambitious projects in Mohanlal's career, undoubtedly on a grand scale. Serving as a sequel to his 2019 hit Lucifer, this film ranks among the most costly Malayalam productions ever, showcasing the actor in an extraordinary role as a politician and warlord. Mohanlal describes his evolution from portraying ordinary individuals to embodying demigod-like figures as a 'natural progression' in his career, asserting, "Nothing is forcefully done."

While films from the Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada industries have ventured into pan-India themes, Malayalam cinema is just beginning to follow suit with Empuraan. Mohanlal remarks, "We attempted this in some capacity with Kala Paani, my 1996 film. However, Pulimurugan made a significant impact." The 2016 release was also dubbed in Tamil and marked the first Malayalam film to achieve a gross of ₹100 crore. "In the past, my films were dubbed in Telugu or Kannada, but that trend diminished. It has only recently resumed."

Is Empuraan a pan-India film?

Mohanlal asserts that the intention behind Empuraan was not to target a pan-India audience but rather to narrate the story on a grand scale. "We never considered this to be a pan-India film; it simply unfolded that way. Following the widespread acceptance of Lucifer across India, it seemed like the appropriate direction to take."

Empuraan, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, features a cast that includes Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Indrajith Sukumaran, Abhimanyu Singh, Eriq Ebouaney, Jerome Flynn, Saikumar, Baiju Santhosh, and Suraj Venjaramoodu. The film is set to premiere in theaters on March 27.

Read Also: OTTplay Awards 2025: Abishek Kumar Receives Breakthrough Performance (Male) for Thalaivettiyan Paalayam

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!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!