Pranav Mohanlal plays young Stephen in ‘L2: Empuraan’; Prithviraj reveals

The much-awaited ‘L2: Empyrean’, the sequel to ‘Lucifer’, has captivated fans with its revelations and intense storytelling.

A big revelation

One of the biggest surprises in the film is Pranav Mohanlal’s portrayal of a young Stephen Nedumpally, a role that had sparked speculation regarding AI de-aging technology. However, director Prithviraj Sukumaran confirmed that Mohanlal’s son, Pranav, played the younger version of the character in crucial flashback scenes. His performance has heightened anticipation for the final installment of the trilogy.


The film further explores the rise of Stephen—also known as Khureshi Ab’raam—from the streets of 1980s Bombay to becoming a feared international crime lord. Alongside Stephen’s transformation, the backstory of Zayed Masood (played by Prithviraj) is also given depth, shedding light on his unwavering loyalty.
Pranav Mohanlal as Stephen

Prithviraj Sukumaran took to his Instagram handle to unveil the character look poster for Pranav Mohanlal. Sharing the poster, the actor wrote, “Pranav Mohanlal as Stephen. #L2E #EMPURAAN In theatres worldwide.”

Netizens react!

Prithviraj’s post was soon flooded with comments. One comment read, “Waiting for L3 The Beginning.!.” Another comment read, “ഇപ്പോഴാണ് പലരും ഇത് പ്രണവ് ആയിരുന്നു എന്ന് അറിയുന്നത് (Now only people are realising it was Pranav Mohanlal.)” A third one commented, “ഞാൻ കണ്ടപ്പോൾ ai ആണെന്ന് വിചാരിച്ചു..(I really thought it was AI.)”

24 cuts in the new version

Meanwhile, L2: Empuraan has undergone significant edits, with 24 scenes modified following voluntary changes by the filmmakers. Reports indicate that a total of 2 minutes and 8 seconds have been cut, including key changes related to the depiction of the 2002 Godhra riots. One major alteration replaces the timeline marker “2002-India” with a vaguer “A few years ago.” Additionally, four scenes depicting violence against women during the riots have been completely removed.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has approved the revised version, which is set to be uploaded to theaters after final mastering.