The Empuraan Controversy: Art, Politics, and Double Standards

Thiruvananthapuram: The storm surrounding L2: Empuraan, the much-anticipated Mohanlal- starrer, continues to escalate, sparking political reactions across Kerala. The CPI M has accused the BJP of intolerance, citing the barrage of criticism from right-wing social media circles.

Interestingly, while grassroots activists and right-wing groups have been vocal in their disapproval, the state BJP’s mainstream leadership has refrained from making overtly critical statements against the Prithviraj- directed film. The movie, the second instalment in the Lucifer trilogy, has ignited heated debates for its bold critique of right-wing politics and its subtle reference to the Gujarat riots.

Senior CPI M leader and Kerala’s General Education Minister V Sivankutty strongly opposed any move to re-censor the film. In a statement, he asserted that the Gujarat riots and the Godhra incident are chapters of Indian history—no matter how much one tries to erase them, future generations will continue to learn and remember. "Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of democracy. Any attempt to silence it must be resisted,'' Sivankutty declared. Meanwhile, certain right-wing groups have gone a step further, demanding that Mohanlal be stripped of his honorary Lieutenant Colonel rank due to the film’s controversial content. Amidst the uproar, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family watched L2: Empuraan at a multiplex in Thiruvananthapuram, signaling solidarity with the filmmakers.

CM Vijayan Slams Right-Wing Attacks on Empuraan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has come down heavily on the hate campaigns against Empuraan, its cast, and its crew, calling them an outright assault on artistic freedom. He noted that the Sangh Parivar’s outrage stems from the film’s reference to one of the darkest chapters in India’s history—a massacre orchestrated by those now crying foul. What’s more alarming, he pointed out, is that it’s not just social media trolls but also BJP and RSS leaders who have issued veiled threats against the film’s creators. Reports suggest that the filmmakers are under immense pressure to re-edit and censor the film, bowing to growing right-wing opposition. "In a democracy, the right to creative expression must be fiercely defended. The calls to ban, censor, or even destroy a film—coupled with threats against its artists—are the hallmarks of a fascist mindset,'' Vijayan asserted. He emphasized that every citizen has the fundamental right to engage with a film—whether to admire, critique, or disagree—without fear of intimidation. Urging people to take a firm stand, the Chief Minister underscored the need to safeguard democracy and secular values from those who seek to stifle creative expression.

Mohanlal Expresses Regret Over Empuraan Controversy

As Empuraan faces relentless cyber attacks, actor Mohanlal has issued a statement expressing regret. The backlash intensified after the film shed light on the involvement of right-wing forces in the Gujarat riots. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Mohanlal acknowledged that certain political themes in the film had unsettled sections of the audience. Expressing sincere remorse on behalf of himself and the Empuraan team, he assured that such themes would be removed from the final cut. The film’s director, Prithviraj, also shared Mohanlal’s post, signaling a collective decision to revise the film’s content.

Mohanlal’s Facebook Post:

"I have come to realise that certain socio--political themes woven into Empuraan, the second chapter of the Lucifer franchise, have caused deep distress among many who love and support me. As an artist, I believe it is my duty to ensure that none of my films propagate hatred against any political movement, ideology, or religious community. With that in mind, both the Empuraan team and I deeply regret the pain this has caused. We take full responsibility for it. Understanding this, we have collectively decided to remove such themes from the film. For over four decades, I have walked this cinematic journey as one among you. Your love and trust are my greatest strengths—beyond that, there is no ‘separate’ Mohanlal.

With love,

Mohanlal

The controversy surrounding L2: Empuraan has evolved beyond a cinematic debate into a larger discourse on artistic freedom, political intolerance, and historical accountability. While the film continues to face backlash from right-wing groups, it has also garnered strong support from those advocating for creative expression and democratic values. Mohanlal’s public apology and the filmmakers’ decision to alter the film highlight the immense pressure exerted on artists navigating politically sensitive subjects. The stark contrast in treatment between The Kerala Story, which faced no censorship despite its contentious portrayal of Kerala, and Empuraan, which is being pushed towards re-censorship for depicting historical realities, raises serious questions about selective outrage and ideological double standards.