Mohanlal’s Empuraan Reborn – A Tale of Cuts, Controversy, and Cinema
Picture this: you’re sitting in a packed theatre, the lights dim, and the screen flickers to life with the much-11anticipated L2: Empuraan, starring the legendary Mohanlal. It’s March 27, 2025, and the air buzzes with excitement—until it doesn’t. Fast forward to April 1, and the Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version is out in theatres after 24 cuts, a move that’s left fans, critics, and casual moviegoers alike reeling. What happened? Why did a film that smashed box office records in its first weekend need such a drastic overhaul? Let’s peel back the layers of this cinematic saga and see how it hit home for millions.
I’m a lifelong Mohanlal fan—his charisma, his gravitas, the way he owns every frame. So when Empuraan dropped, I was there, popcorn in hand, ready for the ride. But like many, I didn’t expect the storm that followed. The Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version isn’t just a tweak—it’s a transformation born from backlash, apologies, and a team’s scramble to keep the peace. Here’s the full story, told through the lens of someone who’s as invested in this as you might be.
The Rise of Empuraan: A Blockbuster’s Explosive Start
L2: Empuraan, the sequel to 2019’s Lucifer, hit theatres on March 27, 2025, with all the pomp of a Mollywood juggernaut. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and boasting a star-studded cast—Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, and more—it was a Rs 200-crore spectacle that promised action, intrigue, and Mohanlal’s signature swagger as Stephen Nedumpally, aka Khureshi Ab’raam. And it delivered—big time. Within two days, it crossed Rs 100 crore globally, making it the fastest Malayalam film to hit that mark, according to Sacnilk. By March 31, the makers claimed a staggering Rs 200 crore haul worldwide.
But beneath the glitz, trouble brewed. The Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version wouldn’t exist without the controversy that erupted almost as fast as the ticket sales. Scenes depicting the 2002 Gujarat riots, a villain named Baba Bajrangi, and graphic violence sparked outrage from right-wing groups, including the RSS and BJP supporters. Social media erupted—some hailed it as bold storytelling, others slammed it as divisive propaganda. For a film meant to entertain, it suddenly became a lightning rod.
The Backlash: When Cinema Meets Politics
Imagine being Mohanlal, a man who’s spent four decades as Kerala’s cinematic darling, now caught in a firestorm. The Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version was born from this chaos. The RSS’s mouthpiece Organiser called it “an attack on faith,” while BJP youth wing leaders demanded probes into Prithviraj’s “foreign connections.” On X, fans clashed—some praised the film’s guts, others cursed it as a betrayal. “A true bhaand who’ll do anything for money,” one user raged, linking to news of the cuts.
For me, it felt personal. I’ve seen Mohanlal weather flops and triumphs, but this was different—his legacy was on trial. The Gujarat riot references hit a nerve, especially the character Baba Bajrangi, whose name echoed a real-life figure from the 2002 violence. Add in scenes of religious hatred and a brutal assault on a woman, and the film’s ambition started to feel like a misstep. By March 30, the makers knew they had to act—17 cuts were rumored, but the final tally would be 24, reshaping the Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version into something safer, yet shadowed by what it once was.
The Cuts: What Changed in Empuraan?
On April 1, 2025, the Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version rolled out in theatres, 2 minutes and 8 seconds shorter than its original 3-hour runtime. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) approved the changes after an emergency review, prompted by the makers’ voluntary resubmission. Here’s what got the axe:
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Baba Bajrangi Becomes Baldev: The villain’s name, a clear nod to Bajrang Dal’s Babu Bajrangi, was swapped to “Baldev” to dodge historical baggage.
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Riot Scenes Softened: Graphic depictions of the 2002 Gujarat riots—once a centerpiece—were trimmed or muted, with the timeline shifted from “India 2002” to “a few years ago.”
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Violence Toned Down: A disturbing scene of violence against a pregnant woman vanished, alongside other religious imagery that fueled the uproar.
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Subtle Edits: The NIA nameplate on a car? Gone. A thank-you note to BJP MP Suresh Gopi? Erased from the credits.
Producer Antony Perumbavoor insisted there was no external pressure—just a team effort to “right our mistakes.” But the rush to watch the uncut version before April 1 told a different story. Theatres ran 24-hour screenings, fans flocked to see the “real” Empuraan before the Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version took over. I missed that window, but I can’t help wondering: did those cuts strip away the film’s soul, or save it?
The Human Cost: Mohanlal’s Apology and a Team Divided
Mohanlal’s response hit me hardest. On March 30, he took to Facebook: “As an artist, it’s my duty to ensure my films don’t promote hatred. The Empuraan team and I regret any distress caused, and we’ve decided to remove such subjects.” Prithviraj shared the post, but writer Murali Gopy stayed silent—a silence that spoke volumes. Perumbavoor later defended Mohanlal, saying he’d seen the full film pre-release, countering claims he was blindsided.
I felt for him. Imagine pouring years into a passion project, only to see it dissected by politics. The Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version was a compromise, but at what cost? Fans like me grappled with mixed emotions—pride in his accountability, sadness at the concessions. Meanwhile, Kerala’s CPI(M) and Congress rallied behind the original, decrying censorship as an attack on expression. The divide deepened, but the box office didn’t flinch—Empuraan kept packing houses.
A Fan’s Take: Did the Cuts Ruin Empuraan?
I caught the Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version on April 1 at a local theatre in Kochi. The energy was electric—sold-out shows, cheers for Mohanlal’s entry—but something felt off. The pacing stumbled where scenes were snipped, and the villain’s arc lost its bite without the raw context. Critics like The Hindu had already panned the original for lacking Lucifer’s punch, and the cuts didn’t help. Yet, Mohanlal’s presence—commanding, magnetic—still carried it. Prithviraj’s direction shone in the visuals, even if the story felt neutered.
Talking to fellow fans outside, opinions split. “It’s safer now, but less bold,” said Priya, a college student. “I liked the grit of the first version,” grumbled Anil, who’d seen it pre-cuts. For me, the Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version was a bittersweet watch— a shadow of its former self, yet still a testament to Mollywood’s ambition. The Rs 200-crore gross by March 31 proved it: controversy or not, people showed up.
The Bigger Picture: Cinema in a Polarized World
This isn’t just about Empuraan—it’s about art in a fractured age. The Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version reflects a broader tension: how far can filmmakers push before society pushes back? In Kerala, where cinema is religion, the stakes are higher. The cuts revived theatres post-pandemic—750 screens ran housefull, per The New Indian Express—but they also sparked debate. Was this censorship or responsibility? Did the makers cave, or adapt?
For me, it’s both. The Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version saved a film from bans and boycotts, but it dulled its edge. It’s a reminder that even giants like Mohanlal navigate a tightrope in 2025’s polarized India. And with L3: The Beginning already in the works, the franchise’s future hangs on how it balances vision with vigilance.
Moving Forward: What’s Next for Empuraan?
As the dust settles, the Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version is here to stay—at least until the next chapter. Theatre owners predict sustained crowds, drawn by star power and the big-screen thrill. But the scars of this saga linger. Will L3 dare to provoke again, or play it safe? Will Mohanlal’s apology reshape his choices? Only time will tell.
For now, I’m left reflecting on a film that aimed high, stumbled, and rose again— reshaped, but not broken. The Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version isn’t perfect, but it’s ours—a piece of cinema that mirrors our messy, passionate world.
What’s your take on the Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan re-edited version? Did the cuts ruin it, or redeem it? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from fellow fans! And if you enjoyed this deep dive, subscribe for more Mollywood updates. Let’s keep the conversation alive!