Actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran has finally addressed the months-long controversy surrounding his Mohanlal-starrer L2: Empuraan, dismissing the need for extravagant political posturing in cinema during an interview with Manorama Online. Released on March 27, 2025, the action thriller—the second instalment in the Lucifer trilogy—ignited a firestorm for its unflinching depiction of communal violence reminiscent of the 2002 Gujarat riots, portraying the antagonist Baba Bajrangi (Abhimanyu Singh) as a pro-Hindutva figure orchestrating mob attacks on Muslims, which led to the fictional death of Prithviraj's character Zayed Masood's family.

Sukumaran, who both helmed the direction and starred in the film, quipped that he "doesn't need to invest crores on political stance," underscoring his belief that artistic intent should not be misconstrued as overt activism, especially when backed by a massive production budget exceeding ₹300 crore.

The backlash erupted almost immediately after the film's premiere, with right-wing groups, including BJP affiliates and Sangh Parivar outfits, branding Empuraan as "anti-Hindu propaganda" for allegedly vilifying Hindu nationalists and critiquing right-wing politics through its narrative lens. Social media erupted with calls for boycotts, online trolling targeted Mohanlal and Sukumaran, and Kerala BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar publicly reversed his initial support, vowing to skip screenings.

In contrast, opposition parties like Congress and sections of the Left hailed the film for exposing "the true agenda of hate", with Youth Congress leader Rahul Mamkootathil defending it as a bold pan-Indian statement against communalism. The row escalated into a political slugfest in Kerala, blending cinematic critique with electoral rhetoric ahead of potential alliances.

Faced with mounting pressure, the makers, including producer Gokulam Gopalan of Sree Gokulam Movies, swiftly volunteered 17 cuts to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), toning down riot sequences, abusive dialogues, and depictions of violence against women to assuage sentiments without compromising the core plot. Mohanlal issued a public apology on March 30, 2025, affirming the edits and expressing regret if any scenes caused hurt, while clarifying that the team had no intent to offend.

Sukumaran's mother, veteran actor Mallika Sukumaran, fiercely defended her son on Facebook, calling him a "scapegoat" and emphasising that the entire cast, including Mohanlal and writer Murali Gopy, was fully aware of the script's tone from inception, rejecting claims of deception.

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Sukumaran's measured response in the interview marks a departure from the silence he maintained post-release amid ancillary probes like an income tax notice on his 2022 film earnings and Enforcement Directorate raids on Gopalan's offices, which some viewed as politically motivated extensions of the row. Despite the turbulence, Empuraan grossed over ₹200 crore worldwide, cementing its commercial success and sparking debates on creative freedom versus societal sensitivities in Indian cinema.

As the trilogy's finale looms, Sukumaran's stance reaffirms his commitment to storytelling over spectacle, reminding audiences that films like Empuraan—blending high-stakes action with socio-political undertones—thrive on interpretation rather than imposition.

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