Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], March 30: Superstar Mohanlal issued a statement on Sunday, addressing concerns over the political and social themes in his latest film, ‘L2: Empuraan’, following backlash from various political circles.
Mohanlal’s Statement and Apology
The actor acknowledged that certain aspects of the film had caused distress among his fans and assured that the team had decided to remove controversial references.
In a Facebook post, Mohanlal wrote, “I have come to know that some political and social themes included in the unveiling of ‘Empuraan’ have caused distress among my dear ones.”
He further stated, “As an artist, it is my duty to ensure that none of my films promote hatred towards any political movement, ideology, or religious group. Both I and the ‘Empuraan’ team express our sincere regret and take responsibility for this, ensuring such issues will be removed.”
Reaffirming his bond with his audience, he added, “For the past four decades, it is you, the audience, who have been a part of my cinematic journey. Your love and trust are my strength.”
Director Prithviraj Sukumaran also shared Mohanlal’s post on social media, signaling solidarity with the decision.
Political Fallout and Calls for Boycott
The statement follows growing controversy over the movie, which was released on March 27. Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly V D Satheesan took to social media, urging the public to boycott the film and cancel their tickets, alleging that the film was part of a Sangh Parivar-backed agenda.
He wrote, “The BJP state president, who said yesterday that he would watch the film, today says he won’t. Some people won’t even speak in daylight, no matter how much time passes. In that case, I will watch ‘Empuraan’.”
Satheesan accused the Sangh Parivar of distorting history and misusing creative freedom to push their ideological narrative, adding, “They believe creative freedom is only for works that align with their views.”
Meanwhile, BJP leader and former Union Minister V Muraleedharan responded to the controversy, stating, “The party has already clarified its stand, and the State President has clearly mentioned the BJP’s position. As a film lover, everyone has their own opinion.”
Edits and Film’s Box Office Success
The production team of ‘Empuraan’ has announced that the film will undergo revisions in response to the backlash. According to reports, 17 scenes—including those featuring riot sequences and depictions of violence against women—will be edited out.
Despite the controversy, ‘Empuraan’ has been a box office hit, grossing Rs 80 crore worldwide in its opening weekend, making it the first Malayalam film to achieve this milestone.
Allegations Against Director Prithviraj Sukumaran
Adding to the tensions, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) state general secretary K Ganesh called for an investigation into Prithviraj Sukumaran’s alleged “foreign connections.”
Ganesh questioned the director’s contacts in Jordan during the filming of ‘Aadujeevitham’, suggesting that his past projects, including ‘Kuruthi’ and ‘Jana Gana Mana’, contained “anti-national” content.
With political tensions rising and the film continuing its record-breaking run, ‘L2: Empuraan’ remains at the center of one of Kerala’s most heated cinematic controversies.