Empuraan Controversy: Kerala Film Industry Body Expresses Solidarity To Mohanlal-Prithviraj Sukumaran's Film

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Kerala Film Industry Body Expresses Solidarity To Empuraan: Mohanlal's political action-thriller, which was written by Murali Gopy, opened amid sky-high buzz and stellar opening figures at the box office worldwide on March 27. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, Empuraan movie met with immense applause but equally garnered hate and massive criticism.

The movie, a sequel to Lucifer (2019) is openly criticized by the leading government BJP, which openly supported the 'Kerala Story' movie otherwise. The religious organization RSS condemned the movie's representation of certain facts that hurt the sentiments of Sanghis.

In the movie, the character of Baba Bajrangi (Abhimanyu Singh) appears to be inspired by Babubhai Patel a leader who was convicted for the Naroda Patiya massacre during the Gujarat riots, where 97 Muslims were killed. There was a severe mockery and representation of the 'Right-wing' ideology, complained some. Amid the controversy, a film industry body in Kerala openly backed Empuraan, which is for the first time.

Film Employees Federation of Kerala Expresses Solidarity

As per a report on HT, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) said, "We welcome criticism of the film's form and content without any compromises. Only through constructive criticism can an art form truly evolve. However, we firmly believe that criticism should not descend into personal attacks, threats, or branding, regardless of political or religious affiliations."

Empuraan Edited & Muted

To not add to the controversy and do their bit for their film, the makers of Empuraan decided to tone down the intensity. They have made 19 edits to the scenes, muted a few dialogues, and even changed the antagonist's name. However, before and after the edits, the patronage for Mohanlal's highest-grossing industry hit (so far) is rock-solid at the box office.

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Kerala Chief Minister Reacts
Earlier, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also watched Empuraan and expressed that the voice of speech shouldn't be contained.

Mohanlal Issues Apology
Mohanlal also issued a public apology of sorts through his socials. He said, "I have come to know that some of the political and social themes that have come in the expression of the movie 'Empuran', the second part of the 'Lucifer' franchise, have caused great distress to many of those who love me. As an artiste it is my duty to ensure that none of my films harbors hatred towards any political movement, ideology or sect.

Therefore, the empuran team and I are deeply sorry for the distress caused to my loved ones, and with the realization that the responsibility lies with all of us who have worked behind the film we have decided together to remove such subjects from the film. I have lived my film career as one of you for the last four decades. Your love and faith are my only strength. I believe there is no Mohanlal who is more than that... With love, Mohanlal."

Empuraan Synopsis
Five years after the revelation of the Khureshi-Ab'Raam nexus, the land in particular, and the world, in general, is caught in yet another epoch-defining socio-political storm.

Empuraan Cast
The movie stars a plethora of notable and talented actors along with Mohanlal including Prithviraj Sukumaran himself as Zayed Masood, Tovino Thomas as Jathin Ramdas, Manju Warrier as Priyadarshini Ramdas, Abhimanyu Singh as Balraj, Indrajith Sukumaran as Govardhan, Jerome Flynn as Boris Oliver, Eriq Ebouaney as Kabuga, Kishore as Karthik, Andrea Tivadar as Michele Menuhin, Suraj Venjaramoodu as Sajanachandran, Saikumar as Mahesha Varma, Baiju Santhosh as Murugan, Fazil as Father Nedumpally, Sachin Khedekar as PK Ramdas, Saniya Iyappan as Jhanvi, Nyla Usha, Giju John, Nandhu, Shivaji Guruvayoor, Manikuttan, Aneesh G. Menon, Sshivada, Alexx O'Nell, Satyajit Sharma, Shubhangi Latkar, Nikhat Khan and Jaise Jose among others in key roles.

Empuraan Crew
The action-thriller's cinematography was handled by Sujith Vaassudev and edited by Akhilesh Mohan. Deepak Dev composed the film's entire music and sound. Murali Gopy wrote the movie's story and script.