The much-awaited sequel L2 Empuraan, directed by
Prithviraj Sukumaran and starring the legendary Mohanlal, continues its strong
run at the box office. Even though the film has slightly slowed down after a
stellar opening, it has managed to maintain a solid pace in its second week. By
the end of Day 8, L2 Empuraan has collected an impressive ₹88.35 crore
nett in India.
A Promising Start and Consistent Growth
Released on March 27, L2 Empuraan opened to a
thunderous response, earning ₹21 crore on its first day. It maintained steady
momentum over its opening weekend, grossing ₹11.1 crore on Friday, followed by
₹13.25 crore and ₹13.65 crore on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. By the end
of its first week, the film had accumulated ₹84.35 crore.
However, as it entered the second week, the film began to
show signs of a natural slowdown, earning an estimated ₹4 crore on its second
Thursday. Despite this dip, L2 Empuraan remains one of the
highest-grossing Malayalam films and is expected to cross the ₹100 crore mark
soon if weekend collections stay strong.
Controversy and Cuts: Political Tensions Surround the
Film
While the film has been a commercial success, it hasn’t been
without controversy. L2 Empuraan faced criticism for certain scenes that
depicted the 2002 Gujarat riots. The backlash prompted the filmmakers to
voluntarily approach the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and make 24
cuts.
These edits included changes to scenes that referenced
religious structures, violence against women, and even a renaming of the film’s
villain, played by Abhimanyu Singh. There was widespread speculation that these
cuts were made under political pressure, but actor-politician and BJP MP Suresh
Gopi addressed the issue in Parliament.
He clarified that the decision to alter the film was taken
solely by the producers and lead actor Mohanlal, with the director’s approval.
Gopi emphasized that there was no external pressure and that he had even
requested his name to be removed from the film’s thank-you card.
About L2 Empuraan: A Political Thriller With a Powerful
Legacy
L2 Empuraan is the highly anticipated sequel to the
2019 blockbuster Lucifer, which first introduced audiences to Mohanlal’s
enigmatic character, Stephen Nedumpally, also known as Khureshi Ab’raam.
Prithviraj Sukumaran reprises his role as Zayed Masood, Stephen’s trusted
lieutenant, and also returns to the director’s chair.
The film dives deeper into the character’s mysterious past
and his rise to power, further expanding the cinematic universe set up in Lucifer.
The final scenes of L2 Empuraan also introduce Pranav Mohanlal,
Mohanlal’s real-life son, as the younger version of Stephen, setting the stage
for the third and final installment titled L3: The Beginning.
The Road Ahead
With its gripping storyline, powerful performances, and
slick direction, L2 Empuraan has managed to captivate both audiences and
critics. Despite the controversies and the voluntary cuts, the film continues
to draw crowds and is on its way to becoming one of the most successful
Malayalam films of all time.
As the second weekend unfolds, all eyes are on the box
office to see if the film can regain momentum and break the coveted ₹100 crore
barrier in India. If it does, L2 Empuraan will not only cement its place
in box office history but also reaffirm the enduring appeal of Mohanlal and the
brilliance of Prithviraj's storytelling.