Mohanlal Reacts To L2 Empuraan Controversy, Film To Undergo Edits: ‘I Sincerely Regret The Distress’
Mohanlal has addressed the controversy surrounding L2: Empuraan, confirming that the film will undergo edits to remove politically sensitive scenes.
Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding L2: Empuraan, the highly anticipated sequel to Lucifer. Amid growing backlash over politically sensitive content, the actor issued a heartfelt statement confirming that the team has decided to revise the film, removing scenes that may have caused distress to viewers.
Taking to Facebook, Mohanlal acknowledged the concerns directly, “I know that some of the political and social themes in the film Empuraan, the second part of the Lucifer franchise, have caused great distress to many of my loved ones."
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He went on to explain his responsibility as an artist, “As an artist, it is my duty to ensure that none of my films is hostile to any political movement, ideology or religious group."
Confirming the decision to alter the film, he added, “The Empuraan team and I sincerely regret the distress caused… and with the realization that the responsibility for it lies with all of us who worked behind the film, we have decided together to remove such themes from the film."
Closing on a personal note, Mohanlal reaffirmed his connection with his fans, “I have lived my film career as one of you for the last four decades. Your love and trust are my only strength. I believe that there is no Mohanlal who is greater than that. With love,
Mohanlal #L2E #Empuraan"
As per a report by News18 Malayalam, the Empuraan team has opted for 17 voluntary cuts following feedback from audiences and religious groups. The edits include muting sensitive dialogues and renaming the antagonist, Baba Bajrangi—a name that drew criticism for its perceived political associations. Certain scenes referencing the 2002 Gujarat riots, and those depicting communal violence, have also been altered or removed.
The controversy intensified after some Hindu organizations in Kerala accused the film of misrepresenting their faith. The backlash triggered online campaigns and calls for a boycott. In response, the filmmakers approached the CBFC and initiated a conciliatory revision process.
Political reactions were mixed. Kerala’s Education Minister V. Sivankutty questioned the need for cuts, stating that real historical events like the Gujarat riots have a rightful place in cinematic storytelling. On the other hand, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticized the film for presenting what he called a “distorted and one-sided narrative" and pledged to boycott it.
Despite the uproar, L2: Empuraan has made a strong impact at the box office, earning over ₹45 crore in just three days since its March 27 release. Starring Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran, the political action thriller continues to draw crowds—now with a revised version on the way.
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