Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly defended the Malayalam film L2: Empuraan amid backlash from right-wing groups, calling the ongoing controversy an attack on democratic rights and freedom of expression. The film, starring Mohanlal and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, has faced criticism from RSS-affiliated groups and the BJP, who accuse it of promoting an “anti-Hindu agenda” by referencing the 2002 Gujarat riots.
In a Facebook post, Vijayan described Empuraan as a “milestone for Malayalam cinema” and expressed concern over alleged pressure on its producers to re-censor the film. “This atmosphere of fear created by Sangh Parivar is worrying. The situation where communal elements are able to devalue a work of art and vilify artists just because they have taken a stand against communalism and portrayed its terror is an abomination to democracy,” he wrote.
Vijayan further condemned violent calls to ban the film, calling such actions “new manifestations of a fascist attitude” and a “violation of democratic rights.”
Mohanlal Issues Apology, Promises Cuts
Superstar Mohanlal, who plays the lead role in Empuraan, issued an apology on Facebook, acknowledging the distress caused by certain socio-political themes in the film. He assured fans that the contentious scenes would be removed.
“I understand that certain socio-political themes introduced in the making of Empuraan, the sequel to the Lucifer franchise, have caused considerable mental distress among some of my loving fans. As an artist, it is my duty to ensure that none of my films harbor hatred towards any political movement, ideology, or religious group,” he wrote.
BJP and RSS Leaders Oppose the Film
Kerala BJP chief and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar publicly announced that he would not watch the film, accusing it of distorting facts. Leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), including J Nandakumar and A Jayakumar, also voiced their disapproval, with some affiliated cyber handles in Kerala calling the film divisive. The RSS-aligned publication Organiser accused Empuraan of pushing an anti-Hindu narrative.
The controversy has sparked a heated debate over artistic freedom, censorship, and political influence in cinema, highlighting the growing tensions between the Kerala government and right-wing groups.
Sources By Agencies
