All posts tagged: Empuraan controversy

Prithviraj Empuraan Mohanlal

Prithviraj Empuraan Mohanlal

Published by Parlour News

Although it emerged as the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time, only to be dethroned later by Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, actor-turned-director Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Mohanlal-starrer L2: Empuraan opened to mixed reviews upon release. Despite being the most anticipated Malayalam film of 2025, marking the second instalment in a planned trilogy, Empuraan failed to impress a large section of the audience, who were mostly disappointed that it didn’t live up to the first part, Lucifer (2019). What added to its woes was a controversy that erupted soon after the film’s release, with right-wing organisations taking offence at the scenes set against the backdrop of the 2002 Gujarat riots, as they didn’t align with their narrative. Since then, fans have been concerned about whether the proposed third part of the franchise would see the light of day. Also Read | ‘Rank 1’ Indrans left school after Class 4 as he couldn’t afford a uniform; appeared for Class 7 exams after winning National Award at 68 Prithviraj on Lucifer 3 Nonetheless, Prithviraj himself has now allayed fears and …

Prithviraj speaks out on L2 Empuraan controversy, says he will never make a film to deliver political statement: ‘Don’t need to invest crores and make a movie to…’ | Malayalam News

Prithviraj speaks out on L2 Empuraan controversy, says he will never make a film to deliver political statement: ‘Don’t need to invest crores and make a movie to…’ | Malayalam News

Published by Parlour News

Despite opening to mixed responses from various quarters, Prithviraj Sukumaran’s third directorial venture, L2: Empuraan, starring Mohanlal in the lead role, became a massive commercial success and even ranked as the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time before it was eventually dethroned by Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra. At a time when the movie was continuing its theatrical run, Empuraan also sparked controversy over its content, particularly the depiction of scenes set against the backdrop of the 2002 Gujarat riots, which right-wing organisations took offence to as it didn’t align with their narrative. Eventually, the makers of the movie subjected the already CBFC-certified film to “voluntary modifications” to resolve the issue. However, Prithviraj, Mohanlal, and the movie’s writer, Murali Gopy, faced considerable backlash during the controversy. Now, Prithviraj has finally spoken out about the row, clarifying his position. Asserting that he began making the movie after narrating the story of Empuraan in script form to both Mohanlal and producer Antony Perumbavoor, the actor-director stated that he does not make films to express his political stances. …

Prakash Raj points to Empuraan controversy as evidence of ‘central censorship’ in India: ‘Films like The Kashmir Files get approved but…’ | Malayalam News

Prakash Raj points to Empuraan controversy as evidence of ‘central censorship’ in India: ‘Films like The Kashmir Files get approved but…’ | Malayalam News

Published by Parlour News

Although the movie made big bucks at the box office and emerged as the second highest-grossing Indian film of the year so far, the journey to the top was anything but easy for actor Prithviraj Sukumaran’s third directorial venture, the Mohanlal-starrer L2: Empuraan. Embroiled in a controversy over its content, particularly the scenes set against the backdrop of the 2002 Gujarat pogrom, Empuraan made headlines for all the wrong reasons upon release, and the film’s team even had to make “voluntary modifications” to the version that was already approved by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and was running in theatres. Renowned actor Prakash Raj recently commented on the issue, criticising the unfortunate fate the movie met. “We can’t make certain kinds of films in this country. They won’t let it because there is censorship. Earlier, there was censorship at the state level, and now, they have clearly brought in central censorship. They decide what should be (made). The film industry is very vulnerable; there’s a lot of money involved. Their whole idea is …

Ganesh Kumar claims strike call by certain film bodies was part of a conspiracy against Empuraan: ‘Meant to appease their political bosses’ | Malayalam News

Ganesh Kumar claims strike call by certain film bodies was part of a conspiracy against Empuraan: ‘Meant to appease their political bosses’ | Malayalam News

Published by Parlour News

Although controversies and right-wing-led hate campaigns could not prevent actor Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Mohanlal-starrer L2: Empuraan from becoming a blockbuster, the action thriller dominated headlines for a fortnight across the nation. The row, which erupted over its content, particularly the scenes set against the backdrop of the 2002 Gujarat riots, grew so intense that Mohanlal issued an apology for the “emotional distress” caused by the film’s “political and social themes.” Amid all the clamour, the deafening silence of major film bodies in the state — particularly the Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA) and the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) — did not go unnoticed. What raised many eyebrows was that this followed the organisations’ back-to-back media appearances and announcement of a strike starting June 1, citing significant financial losses faced by producers and distributors. The silence stood out even more considering that the KFPA, since the beginning of the year, had been holding monthly press conferences to release reports detailing the budgets and theatrical revenues of newly released Malayalam films. The Film Employees Federation of …

Income Tax department issues notice to Empuraan producer Antony Perumbavoor | Malayalam News

Income Tax department issues notice to Empuraan producer Antony Perumbavoor | Malayalam News

Published by Parlour News

The Income Tax Department has issued a notice to Empuraan producer Antony Perumbavoor, seeking clarification on the alleged financial transactions related to his previously bankrolled films Lucifer and Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea, sources said. According to sources in the Income Tax Department, the notice is a follow-up to the earlier raids conducted in 2022. Authorities have clarified that the current notice or the proceedings are not related to the recently released and “controversial” film Empuraan. Cinema Anatomy | Apology and betrayal: Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Murali Gopy’s L2 Empuraan is not the interactive cinema we had hoped to experience one day Story continues below this ad In 2022, the Income Tax Department raided the offices and residences of several film producers in Kerala. The raids were carried out on five production companies, including Aashirvad Cinemas, which was allegedly owned by Antony Perumbavoor, said sources. As per sources, the alleged financial transactions of these companies from 2019 to 2022 were examined during initial proceedings. The latest notice to Perumbavoor is part of the department’s …

Empuraan Director Prithviraj’s Mom Reacts To I-T Investigation On Him: ‘My Son Has Done Nothing Wrong’

Empuraan Director Prithviraj’s Mom Reacts To I-T Investigation On Him: ‘My Son Has Done Nothing Wrong’

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Last Updated:April 06, 2025, 15:43 IST The Income Tax Department issued a notice to Prithviraj Sukumaran about his income from three 2022 films after ED’s raid on producer Gokulam Gopalan. His mother supports him. Prithviraj Sukumaran’s mom has now defended him. Just days after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the offices of producer Gokulam Gopalan, the Income Tax Department issued a notice to actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran as well. The notice asks Prithviraj to clarify details about his income from three films released in 2022—projects where he was both in front of and behind the camera. In the meantime, Empuraan has been stirring up political drama since its release, largely thanks to some of its bold content. Scenes set during the 2002 Gujarat riots hit a nerve with right-wing audiences. Still, Prithviraj’s mother, veteran actor Mallika Sukumaran, isn’t losing sleep over the buzz. Speaking to Mathrubhumi News, she stood by her son with full confidence, saying, “My son has done nothing wrong. We’re not afraid of any investigation.” While this raid may appear linked to the …

As Empuraan director Prithviraj Sukumaran faces I-T scrutiny, his mother Mallika stands firm: ‘Not afraid of any investigation’ | Malayalam News

As Empuraan director Prithviraj Sukumaran faces I-T scrutiny, his mother Mallika stands firm: ‘Not afraid of any investigation’ | Malayalam News

Published by Parlour News

While Empuraan co-producer Gokulam Gopalan is facing Enforcement Directorate (ED) heat, the blockbuster actioner’s director Prithviraj Sukumaran has received yet another blow, in addition to the brewing controversy over the movie’s content, as the Income Tax (I-T) Department has issued a notice to the actor-filmmaker, seeking clarification regarding the remuneration he received from three films he starred in during 2022. It may be recalled that Empuraan has been at the centre of a political storm ever since its release due to parts of its content — particularly the scenes set against the backdrop of the 2002 Gujarat pogrom — which did not sit well with the right-wing. Nonetheless, Prithviraj’s mother and legendary actor Mallika Sukumaran asserted that they were not afraid of any probe since he had not committed any wrongdoing. “My son has done nothing wrong. We are not afraid of any investigation,” she stated during a conversation with Mathrubhumi News. Also Read | Amid Empuraan controversy, BJP MP-actor Suresh Gopi indirectly drags Mammootty’s name into Parliament: ‘Does the Kairali TV chairman have the …