Mohanlal and Prithviraj starrer Empuraan has been in the news for all the controversial reasons. And even after Mohanlal issued an apology over it, the controversy surrounding the film refuses to die down. The sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer has found itself at the center of a heated political debate.
Root of the controversy
At the heart of the Empuraan controversy is a sequence in the film that allegedly references the 2002 Gujarat riots, portraying one of the perpetrators as the main antagonist. The depiction has led to strong reactions from right-wing groups and politicians, particularly the RSS, who argue that the film carries an “anti-Hindu” and “anti-BJP” narrative.
The RSS-linked magazine Organiser described the film as a tool for spreading an “anti-Hindu and anti-BJP narrative” that could further divide “an already fractured” India. Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai also chimed in on the row and criticised Mohanlal, calling his endorsement of the movie “a big shame” and labeling the film as “propaganda based on fake narratives”.
Political fallout
The controversy has sparked a political war of words between the BJP and Congress. While BJP leaders have condemned the film, Congress and Left leaders have accused the BJP of showing intolerance. Congress worker Ria countered Pai’s criticism, arguing that true patriotism lies in courage, not blind conformity and that Empuraan represents a “bold voice for justice”.
BJP Kerala state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced that he would boycott the film, stating that any movie distorting historical truth is “doomed to fail”. Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a show of support, watched the movie with his family at a multiplex.
Response from Mohanlal and the filmmakers
Facing mounting backlash, Mohanlal took to Facebook to issue an apology, acknowledging that some parts of the film had caused discomfort among certain groups. He assured fans that his team had decided to remove the contentious references.
Following this, the film’s production team announced that Empuraan would undergo edits, including the removal of 17 scenes. Reports indicate that riot sequences and portrayals of violence against women will be trimmed from the final version. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has reportedly ordered these changes to be implemented.
