Faceoff: L2: Empuraan Under Fire

The Malayalam film L2: Empuraan, starring Mohanlal, has sparked significant controversy over its depiction of politically sensitive events. Facing growing backlash from public figures and political leaders, the actor issued an apology, acknowledging the concerns raised by certain sections of the audience.

Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai was among the latest to criticize the film, accusing it of promoting a “fake narrative.” He took to X, calling it a “big propaganda film” and urging Mohanlal to be “ashamed” instead of celebrating its box office success, which surpassed ₹100 crore within days of release. Pai further questioned the film’s portrayal of the 2002 Godhra riots, arguing that it misrepresented historical facts.

As a sequel to the 2019 hit Lucifer, the movie has drawn sharp reactions from right-wing political circles. Critics allege it distorts the events surrounding the Gujarat riots, leading to heated debates.

RSS-affiliated magazine Organiser labeled the film as pushing an “anti-Hindu and anti-BJP” agenda, warning that it could deepen societal divisions. The publication argued that L2: Empuraan approached the subject with “clear and alarming bias,” fueling tensions over an already sensitive topic.

Despite the controversy, the film continues its strong box office run while facing scrutiny over its historical interpretation.