‘L2: Empuraan’ To Undergo 17 Cuts Amid Controversy Over Sensitive Scenes

March 30, 2025: Mohanlal’s much-anticipated film L2: Empuraan has found itself in the midst of controversy just days after its theatrical release.

The film, which opened to significant fanfare on March 27 and became the first Malayalam film to gross Rs 80 crore worldwide on its opening, is now set to undergo several changes. The production team has announced that 17 scenes are likely to be edited, particularly those depicting riot sequences and scenes involving violence against women.

These revisions come after growing backlash, including from political figures. BJP leader V Muraleedharan addressed the matter, saying the party has clarified its stance on the film, though he refrained from further commentary. Muraleedharan emphasized the importance of respecting individual opinions but added that the final authority on the party’s position lies with the State President.

However, the controversy deepened when Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BYJM) state general secretary K Ganesh posted a statement on Facebook, calling for an investigation into the foreign connections of the film’s director and lead actor, Prithviraj Sukumaran. Ganesh accused Prithviraj of promoting “anti-national” ideologies through his films, citing Empuraan and other works such as Kuruthi, Jana Gana Mana, and Aadujeevitham. Ganesh’s post also questioned Prithviraj’s time in Jordan during the filming of Aadujeevitham, suggesting that the filmmaker’s contacts during that period should be investigated.

While the controversy continues to simmer, Empuraan remains a major box office success. The film’s production team has promised the necessary edits, though it’s yet to be seen how these changes will affect its reception among both audiences and critics. The spotlight on Prithviraj Sukumaran and the film’s political and ideological content is only likely to intensify in the coming days as discussions about its themes and potential implications continue.