L2 Empuraan Faces Cuts Amid Controversy Over Gujarat Riots References

Mangalore Today News Network

Thiruvananthapuram, March 30, 2025: The Malayalam film L2 Empuraan, which hit theatres on Thursday, will undergo 17 cuts following controversy over its references to the 2002 Gujarat riots. The film’s production team confirmed that a revised version would be released in theatres next week. The changes include trimming scenes depicting violence against women and riots, muting certain dialogues, and altering the name of the antagonist, Baba Bajrangi.

Producer Gokulam Gopalan initially stated that the film had passed censorship but decided to implement the cuts to avoid offending any section of society. Director and lead actor Prithviraj Sukumaran has reportedly agreed to the modifications.

Despite the controversy, the Mohanlal-starrer has already achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first Malayalam film to cross the ₹86 crore mark within two days of its release. However, political reactions have dominated discussions surrounding the film.

While the BJP has not officially protested against L2 Empuraan, Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed disappointment and stated that he would not watch the movie. “I liked Lucifer and was looking forward to Empuraan. But with 17 amendments and re-censorship, it is clear that the film contained elements that disturbed Mohanlal fans and viewers. A film should be watched as fiction, not history. Any movie that distorts facts is bound to fail. So, will I watch this sequel? No. Am I disappointed? Yes,” he said.

Former Union Minister and BJP leader V Muraleedharan echoed the state party’s position, stating that while individuals could have their own opinions, he would follow the stance taken by the state president. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha’s state general secretary K Ganesh called for an investigation into Prithviraj’s “foreign connections” and accused his films of following an “anti-national pattern.”

The RSS, the ideological parent of the BJP, also criticized L2 Empuraan through an article in its publication Organiser, branding it a “disturbing, divisive tale disguised as cinema.” The piece argued that the film was not just poorly made but an “attack on faith, political plurality, and balanced storytelling.” Social media has also seen a wave of criticism directed at Prithviraj and Mohanlal.

In contrast, the Congress has come out in support of the film, describing the BJP’s stance as a sign of “intolerance.” A senior Congress leader pointed out that the BJP had welcomed films such as The Accidental Prime Minister and Emergency, which were critical of the Congress. “Cinema has always discussed politics. Some films favor one side, while others critique it. This is part of free expression. The BJP must introspect on whether it is justified in showing intolerance only when it is criticized,” he stated.

Kerala Minister and senior CPM leader V Sivankutty emphasized that the 2002 Gujarat riots were part of history, asserting that future generations would learn about them regardless of censorship. “Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of democracy. Any attempt to curb it must be opposed,” he said.

As L2 Empuraan continues to dominate both box office charts and political discourse, the upcoming release of the revised version is expected to shape further debates around artistic freedom and historical representation in Indian cinema.