Lagatar24 Desk
Thiruvananthapuram: The release of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s much-anticipated film L2: Empuraan has sparked a political storm in poll-bound Kerala, with the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and opposition Congress praising the film’s themes, while the BJP has chosen to steer clear of direct involvement.
The film, a sequel to 2019’s Lucifer and the second installment of a planned trilogy, premiered on Thursday and has already broken box office records in Kerala by grossing ₹22 crore on its first day — the highest ever for a Malayalam film in the state. However, beyond its cinematic success, Empuraan has ignited a political debate due to its indirect references to the 2002 Gujarat riots and its portrayal of the alleged misuse of central investigative agencies.
Congress and Left Applaud, Right-Wing Groups Criticise
Right-wing groups labelled the film as “anti-Hindu” and “propaganda,” triggering strong reactions from both the Congress and the Left. Congress’ youth wing leader and Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil came out in support of the film, calling it a “pan-Indian cinematic achievement” and condemning the backlash against Mohanlal and director Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Mamkoottathil pointed out the hypocrisy of critics, saying those who celebrated films like The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story, which were accused of promoting religious polarisation, are now attacking a film that holds a mirror to the ideology they promote.
The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee also took a jibe on X, saying, “Those who never visited Kerala claimed a tax-free propaganda film was the ‘real’ Kerala story. Now that a world-class film exposes their agenda, they are shedding tears.”
BJP Keeps Distance from Film Controversy
Interestingly, the BJP’s Kerala unit refrained from attacking Empuraan. BJP state General Secretary P Sudheer said, “The party has its own work to do. The film will do what it does. Viewers will judge the film, and our activists are free to express opinions.”
This statement appears to be an attempt to avoid further political damage in a state where the BJP has traditionally struggled to find a foothold. In the 2021 state assembly elections, the BJP lost its only seat and saw its vote share decline from 14.96% in 2016 to 12.41%.
Backdrop of Upcoming Polls
The controversy around Empuraan comes as Kerala gears up for another round of Assembly elections next year. In the last election, the Left Democratic Front secured a significant victory, winning 99 of the 140 seats, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front managed only 41. The BJP was routed entirely.
As Empuraan continues its theatrical run and political interpretations multiply, it remains to be seen whether this cinematic controversy will influence Kerala’s electoral narrative.
