Prithviraj Sukumaran’s much-anticipated film L2: Empuraan, starring Mohanlal, is creating history at the box office. The movie has become the first Malayalam film to achieve a worldwide opening gross of ₹80 crore. However, amid its success, the film has sparked controversy, drawing criticism from right-wing groups over its portrayal of the 2002 Gujarat riots.

The film’s plot includes a sequence where the leader of a Hindutva outfit is depicted as the antagonist responsible for the killing of Zayed Masood’s (Prithviraj’s character) family during the riots. This has led to backlash from right-wing supporters, with the Sangh Parivar launching a smear campaign, accusing the film of promoting an anti-Hindu narrative. Meanwhile, Left and Congress factions have praised the filmmakers for addressing right-wing extremism.

Reacting to the controversy, Empuraan’s writer Murali Gopy stated that he preferred to remain silent on the matter. “I will keep total silence on the controversy. Let them fight it out. Everyone has the right to interpret the film in their own way,” he told PTI. Gopy also took a dig at Leftist organisations, claiming, “The Left is non-existent now. They are there on the extreme right.”

Despite the online outrage from Hindutva activists, the BJP’s state unit has distanced itself from the controversy, urging audiences to watch the film before forming opinions.

L2: Empuraan is the second installment in Prithviraj Sukumaran’s ambitious trilogy, following the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer. The film features an ensemble cast, including Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Abhimanyu Singh, Tovino Thomas, Andrea Tivadar, Jerome Flynn, and Indrajith Sukumaran.