Mohanlal’s highly anticipated Malayalam film, L2:
Empuraan, has found itself at the center of controversy following its
depiction of the 2002 Gujarat riots. After intervention from the Central
Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the central government, the
film's producers have reportedly agreed to make 17 changes to the movie.
CBFC’s Decision on L2: Empuraan
According to a Times of India report, the CBFC’s Kerala
office reviewed the film after concerns were raised regarding certain
scenes. Following the review, the board instructed the filmmakers to trim or
modify 17 portions, particularly those related to the riot sequences and
violence against women.
If the revised version of the film is submitted by Monday,
the CBFC is expected to approve the changes, allowing the unedited film to
continue screening in theaters.
Producer Gokulam Gopalan Responds to the Controversy
Addressing the controversy, producer Gokulam Gopalan
confirmed that the team is willing to make the necessary changes.
"If any scenes or dialogues in the movie have hurt
anyone, I have instructed the director, Prithviraj Sukumaran, to make the
changes," Gopalan told Times of India.
The decision to alter the film comes amid political
unrest in Kerala, where some groups opposed the way certain
characters and events were depicted in the movie.
Why Did L2: Empuraan Face a Backlash?
The controversy erupted after certain sections of the
audience and political figures objected to how the Gujarat riots
were portrayed in the film. The sequence in question reportedly features the 2002
riots in Gujarat, with a key antagonist being one of the perpetrators
of the violence.
While the film does not explicitly name real-life
individuals, the depiction of such a sensitive historical event
sparked heated discussions in Kerala’s political and media circles.
Box Office Success Despite the Controversy
Despite the controversy, L2: Empuraan has been
shattering records at the box office. According to Sacnilk.com,
the film became the fastest Malayalam movie to gross ₹100 crore worldwide,
achieving the milestone in just two days.
The film has also emerged as the highest-grossing
Malayalam movie at the overseas box office, reflecting its massive
popularity among global audiences.
About L2: Empuraan
L2: Empuraan is the much-awaited sequel to Lucifer
(2019), one of the biggest blockbusters in Malayalam cinema. The film, directed
by Prithviraj Sukumaran, is one of the most expensive Malayalam
productions ever made.
The star-studded cast includes:
- Mohanlal
in the lead role
- Prithviraj
Sukumaran
- Tovino
Thomas
- Manju
Warrier
- Abhimanyu
Singh
- Jerome
Flynn (Game of Thrones fame)
- Eriq
Ebouaney (Black Panther)
With the CBFC-mandated changes, it remains to be seen
whether the controversy will affect the film’s future screenings or its box
office performance. For now, fans continue to flock to theatres,
making L2: Empuraan one of the biggest successes in Malayalam cinema.