Murali Gopy reacts to the ‘Empuraan’ controversy: Let them fight it out

‘L2: Empuraan,’ the much-anticipated sequel to ‘Lucifer,’ has not only shattered box office records but has also sparked heated political debates. The Mohanlal-led film, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, has drawn sharp criticism from right-wing groups for its depiction of the 2002 Gujarat riots.

What’s the issue?
The controversy erupted over the film’s antagonist, the leader of a Hindutva outfit, who is shown orchestrating the murder of Zayed Masood’s family during the riots. Critics from the Sangh Parivar have labeled the movie as "anti-Hindu," while Left and Congress factions have lauded its bold portrayal of right-wing extremism.
“I will keep total silence.” - Murali Gopy
Responding to the controversy, Empuraan writer Murali Gopy has maintained a neutral stance. Speaking to PTI, he remarked, “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.”

Box Office Performance Amid Controversy
Despite mixed reactions from critics and audiences, the film continues to dominate the box office, proving that its appeal transcends the political debates surrounding it. As the discussions around Empuraan intensify, the film’s makers seem unfazed, letting the audience draw their conclusions.
Despite the uproar, Empuraan has been an undisputed box office phenomenon. It became the first Malayalam film to register a worldwide opening gross of ₹80 crore and set a new benchmark for the highest opening-day collection in Kerala, surpassing Leo, starring Vijay.
Want to watch ‘Empuraan’?
Check out our review here: Empuraan doesn't quite match the punch of Lucifer—Empuraan starts out as a brave, bold film. Not for its budget and ambition alone, but also for the subject, with the quite upfront political portrayals. The first half goes with the textbook's 'thrill every few minutes' formula. After a brief geopolitical voiceover—about an Afro-China God Axis vs. an Indo-Arab Lucifer nexus—and an action sequence in Iran, the story moves to the 2002 riots in west India. It tells the backstory of a young Zayed Masood (Prithviraj), the shadowy figure accompanying Stephen Nedumpally aka Khureshi Ab’raam in the first film, Lucifer. It’s a villain origin story—or in this case, an anti-hero origin story—with Zayed's parents and family facing the brunt of the riots in communal clashes under a new, rising political order under a leader named Bajrangi.