L2: Empuraan has made Malayalam cinema history by surpassing the Rs.250 crore mark at the global box office, becoming the first film from the industry to achieve such a feat. The film, led by superstar Mohanlal and helmed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, reached the milestone within just 11 days of release.
The sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer, L2: Empuraan was released on March 27, 2025, and despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, has seen phenomenal support from audiences both in India and abroad. The production team celebrated the milestone with a social media post proclaiming, “The Emperor and his General navigating never seen before territory!”
A Victory Marred By Controversy
While the film’s commercial performance has been record-breaking, its journey hasn’t been without controversy. Not long after its release, Empuraan encountered criticism regarding perceived misrepresentation of community portrayals, sparking widespread debates and social media unrest. In response, the team took corrective action by re-censoring the film and implementing 24 cuts to address public concerns. Mohanlal also issued an apology to those who may have been offended, further emphasizing the makers’ commitment to sensitivity.
Financially, the film has been an unstoppable force. In India alone, it has collected over Rs.98 crore in just 11 days, with day 11 (a Sunday) pulling in nearly Rs.4 crore. Strong word-of-mouth and massive turnout from the fan base have propelled the film to break all previous records in the Malayalam industry.
See Also: L2: Empuraan Review: Mohanlal’s Show All The Way
Film’s Makers Served IT Notices
However, the massive earnings have drawn the attention of financial regulators. The Enforcement Directorate recently conducted raids at offices connected to co-producer Gokulam Gopalan’s company, Sree Gokulam Chits and Finance, under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), seizing Rs.1.5 crore in cash. Meanwhile, lead actor-director Prithviraj and producer Antony Perumbavoor have reportedly received income tax notices.
Despite these hurdles, L2: Empuraan continues its dream run, rewriting what’s possible for regional Indian cinema. Its box office performance, star power, and ability to captivate diverse audiences underline Malayalam cinema’s rising influence on the global stage.
With its theatrical run still ongoing, all eyes are now on how high Empuraan can climb, and whether it can become the first Malayalam film to breach the Rs.300 crore mark.
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