L2 Empuraan story: After five years of Jatin Ramdas' disappointing and controversial leadership as the chief minister of Kerala, a new political movement is emerging. Simultaneously, on the other side of the globe, Khureshi Ab’raam is encountering increasing dangers from the Kabuga clan and the Shen Triad. However, as the self-proclaimed savior of God’s Own Country falls prey to corruption, Ab’raam finds himself drawn back to his homeland.

L2 Empuraan review: A month following the triumph of Lucifer in 2019, actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran remarked that neither he nor writer Murali Gopy had the inclination to create a simplistic film. This comment highlighted the intricate and layered storytelling of the Mohanlal-starrer, which revealed new insights with each viewing. This complexity is one of the reasons why anticipation for Empuraan reached unprecedented levels, independent of its budget, scale, marketing, or cast. There is a prevailing expectation that this writer-director partnership honors the intelligence of their audience while ensuring that their narrative depth is not compromised for the sake of superficial entertainment.

In the case of Empuraan, the filmmakers have created a Malayalam film on an unprecedented scale. The action sequences include military helicopters, stunning visuals from various locations in the United States, and a CGI-enhanced opening credit sequence designed to leave a lasting impression on the audience. Prithviraj skillfully portrays his character, Khureshi Ab’raam, also known as Stephen Nedumpally (Mohanlal), in a manner that would make any filmmaker with a blend of commercial and artistic sensibilities proud. The director ensures that the character carries a sense of gravitas whenever he appears on screen.

Similar to Lucifer, Mohanlal's screen presence is limited, which enhances the overall impact. There is also a powerful speech set against the backdrop of political unrest within the IUF party, reminiscent of Lucifer. Deepak Dev's songs, "Kadavule Pole" and "Empuraane," feature a more energetic tempo, successfully energizing the fans. Additionally, Murali's writing is rich with biblical allusions concerning fallen angels and resurrection, much like in Lucifer. However, unlike Lucifer, this film is less subtle and more direct. While the L motifs are cleverly integrated, they eventually become repetitive.

The stakes are significantly elevated in this film compared to Lucifer, as it explores the Khureshi Ab’raam nexus alongside MI6, while also delving into the political dynamics of Kerala. Murali’s writing reflects contemporary socio-political issues, particularly with the emergence of a right-wing political party in the state and its sinister agenda. However, the film's frequent shifts between global narratives—centered on a gold-and-diamond network, African and Chinese drug cartels, and MI6—and the local happenings in Kerala prevent a deep engagement with either storyline.

It appears that the film prioritized world-building over crafting a narrative that resonates with the audience. The emotional connection is not derived from the characters with established backstories from Lucifer, but rather from Zayed Masood (Prithviraj). The director merits recognition for ensuring that the sequences depicting the massacre of Masood’s family were given equal weight—both in scale and narrative significance—as the action scenes and the multiple introductions of Mohanlal.

Mohanlal brings a profound depth to the character of Khureshi Ab’raam, particularly highlighted in the moment he turns to present his 'face to the world.' This time, he is not encumbered by his political persona as Stephen Nedumpally, allowing him to express a commanding presence that is evident in every interaction with Kabuga, as well as with Jatin (Tovino) and Balraj (Abhimanyu Singh).

Manju Warrier’s portrayal of Priyadarshini receives increased prominence in Empuraan, establishing her as one of the film's standout performances, especially in a narrative where style could easily overshadow acting. Abhimanyu Singh is given a substantial role in Empuraan, yet it remains questionable whether he leaves a more lasting impression as a villain compared to Vivek Oberoi’s Bobby. Tovino, in the role of CM Jatin, exudes both charm and the arrogance of a man who mistakenly believes he is in control, despite the reality being quite the opposite.

While the three-hour runtime may feel prolonged, particularly during the action sequences, it is undeniable that the cinematography by Sujit Vaassudev is visually stunning.

In a recent interview, Prithviraj referenced the screenplay of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, noting that scenes were either centered on Batman or featured him prominently. Although Khureshi Ab’raam's limited presence throughout much of the film, along with his somewhat muted expressions, contributes significantly to the overall impact, particularly in the conclusion where he appears dejected for perhaps the second time in the series, one might hope that the actor-director had embraced Nolan's philosophy of not reserving anything for a sequel. The film's ambitious world-building, while impressive, ultimately detracts from Empuraan, as its full potential may only be realized in the third installment.

Empuraan verdict: The ambitious sequel to Lucifer, featuring Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran, impresses with its grand scale. The film successfully broadens the universe and provides ample entertainment for fans of both actors. However, this expansion comes at the expense of the refinement that characterized Lucifer.

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