Sun Mar 30 08:34:52 UTC 2025: **Mohanlal’s “Empuraan” Undergoes Cuts After Right-Wing Backlash**
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, March 30, 2025 – Following intense criticism from right-wing groups, the makers of the Malayalam film “L2: Empuraan” have agreed to make 17 cuts to the movie. Actor Mohanlal, the film’s star, issued a public apology expressing regret for any distress caused by the film’s content.
The controversy stemmed from scenes in “Empuraan” that critics allege reference the 2002 Gujarat riots, including depictions of mob violence and events similar to the Bilkis Bano case. While the film claims its events are fictional, the opening sequences, running over 15 minutes, sparked outrage. The RSS mouthpiece, Organiser, accused the filmmakers of pushing an “anti-Hindu political agenda.”
Despite the BJP’s Kerala unit claiming non-involvement in any organized campaign against the film, numerous individuals associated with the party voiced strong opposition. Mohanlal’s statement emphasized his commitment to avoiding hatred towards any political movement, ideology, or religious sect in his films. He stated that the decision to make the cuts was a collective one by the film’s team. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan had earlier expressed their solidarity with the film and its creators. The film’s release on March 27, 2025, was followed by a torrent of criticism and abuse on social media directed at Mohanlal and co-star Prithviraj.
First Piper 