L2 Empuraan row: ‘Movie that distorts truth doomed to fail’, says Rajeev Chandrasekhar; Mohanlal apologises

Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Amid huge backlash for Mohanlal-starrer Malayalam film 'L2: Empuraan', Bharatiya Janata Party Kerala chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who earlier supported the makers, made a u-turn on Sunday and said he wouldn’t watch the film. Chandrasekhar said movies made by “distorting the truth” are doomed to fail.

Saying he won’t be watching 'L2: Empuraan' in theatres, Chandrasekhar said he liked ‘Lucifer’, the first part of Empuraan, hence he said he would watch the film. “I had watched Lucifer and had liked it. I had said that I would watch the movie Empuraan when I heard it was a sequel to Lucifer.

Actor Mohanlal has issued an apology after L2: Empuraan faced backlash over references to the Gujarat riots. Taking to his Facebook, Mohanlal assured his fans that "such subjects" would be removed from the film. Mohanlal said it is his duty as an artist to ensure that none of his films harbours hatred towards any political movement, ideology or religious sect.

Confirming the “voluntary cuts” being considered for the movie L2: Empuraan following right wing backlash, he expressed “regret” on his and the Empuraan team’s behalf for “the distress caused to my loved ones..”

The film which was released on March 27 has grossed over Rs 100 crore and running successfully in theatres. Following the backlash, the makers have planned to make 17 cuts in the film and release re-censored version of the film next week.

Amid controversy over the depiction of alleged Gujarat riots in L2: Empuraan, the makers have reportedly decided to make some changes to the film. As per Times of India, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has ordered 17 changes to the Mohanlal-starrer. The movie, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, released in theatres on March 27.

The film became the fastest Malayalam film to top 100 crores gross globally, within just two days, as per Sacnilk.com. It has also created history by becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film at the overseas box office.

The film is a sequel to Lucifer. Touted to be one of the costliest productions of Malayalam cinema, L2: Empuraan also stars Prithviraj, Tovino Thomas, Abhimanyu Singh, Manju Warrier, Jerome Flynn and Eriq Ebouaney.