Mohanlal Says Gujarat Riot Themes To Be Removed From Empuraan, It Released In Cinemas On March 27

Malayalam star Mohanlal released a statement over the ongoing row over his film L2: Empuraan. The movie has been caught in the middle of a controversy for alluding to the 2002 Gujarat riots. Mohanlal said that we know that some of the political and social themes that have been introduced in the making of film Empuraan, the second part of the Lucifer franchise have caused great distress to many of loved ones. As an artist, it is my duty to ensure that none of my films are hostile to any political movement, ideology or religious sect.

Therefore, Empuraan team are sincerely sorry for the distress caused to my loved ones and with the realisation that the responsibility for it lies with all of us who worked on the film. We have decided together to remove such themes from the film. He added I have lived my film career as one of you for the last four decades. Your love and trust are my only strength. I believe that there is no Mohanlal who is greater that that. With love, Mohanlal ##L2E #Empuraan (sic).

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also attended a screening of the film in the state and supported the Empuraan team in the discussion, stating that freedom of expression must be protected at all costs. The freedom of expression of a citizen must be protected. Violent calls to destroy and ban artwork and artists are the latest manifestations of fascist attitudes.

They are a violation of democratic rights. The rights to make films, watch them, enjoy them, evaluate them, agree and disagree, etc, must not be lost. For this, the united voice of this country, which is rooted in democratic secular values, must be raised,” read a section of his lengthy note. Prithviraj, Abhimanyu Singh and Manju Warrier, Empuraan released in cinemas on March 27.