L2: Empuraan's writer Murali Gopy reacts to controversy regarding 2002 Gujarat riots portrayal in the film: 'Everyone has the right to interpret the film...'

The controversy surrounding Empuraan stems from its depiction of a Hindutva outfit leader orchestrating the murder of Zayed Masood’s family during the riots.

Within just two days of its release, L2: Empuraan, starring Mohanlal, has stormed the box office, crossing the Rs 100 crore mark. However, the Prithviraj Sukumaran directorial has faced backlash from right-wing groups over its portrayal of the 2002 Gujarat riots. Now, the film’s writer, Murali Gopy, has addressed the controversy.

Addressing the controversy surrounding L2: Empuraan, writer Murali Gopy chose to remain neutral. In a statement to PTI, he refrained from commenting directly, emphasizing that viewers are free to interpret the film as they see fit.

The controversy surrounding Empuraan stems from its depiction of a Hindutva outfit leader orchestrating the murder of Zayed Masood’s family during the riots. While critics from the Sangh Parivar have accused the film of being "anti-Hindu," supporters from the Left and Congress have praised its bold take on right-wing extremism.

Despite the controversy, Empuraan has achieved record-breaking box office success. It became the first Malayalam film to earn Rs 80 crore worldwide on its opening day and set a new benchmark for the highest first-day collection in Kerala. Additionally, it made history by crossing Rs 50 crore in pre-release sales even before hitting theaters.

Also read: Mohanlal and Prithviraj's L2: Empuraan becomes first Malayalam film to gross more than Rs 50 crore during advance bookings

Moneycontrol's review of L2: Empuraan states, "Mohanlal's stardom is leveraged to the fullest, with every frame presenting him as an almost invincible figure. Prithviraj’s dedication to making this film a visual extravaganza is evident, yet his direction lacks the necessary sharpness. With a runtime that could have easily been trimmed by thirty minutes, the film falls short of becoming a true edge-of-the-seat thriller but entertains nonetheless."

L2: Empuraan is the sequel to 2019 Malayalam hit film Lucifer starring Mohanlal. It also marked Prithviraj's directorial debut. The film stars an ensemble cast including Mohanlal, Prithviraj, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Abhimanyu Singh, Indrajith Sukumaran, Jerome Flynn, and Suraj Venjaramoodu.