Movie: L2 Empuraan
Rating: 2.5/5
Banner: Aashirwad Cinemas, Lyca, Gokulam
Cast: Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, Manju Warrier, Andrea Tivadar, Indrajith Sukumaran, Abhimanyu Singh, Kishore, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Nikhat Khan, Fazil, Sachin Khedekar, Saikumar, Saniya Iyappan and others
Writer: Murali Gopy
DOP: Sujith Vaassudev
Music: Deepak Dev
Editor: Akhilesh Mohan
Art Director: Mohandas
Action: Stunt Silva
Producer: Antony Perumbavoor, Subaskaran, Gokulam Gopalan
Directed by: Prithviraj Sukumaran
Release Date: March 27, 2025
Mohanlal’s Lucifer was a massive hit in Malayalam and was later remade in Telugu as Godfather starring megastar Chiranjeevi. However, for its sequel, Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran have opted for a pan-Indian release across multiple languages, choosing not to sell the remake rights.
The team has also actively promoted the film in Telugu, which has sparked considerable curiosity and buzz among audiences.
Let’s take a look at the highlights and drawbacks of the film.
Story:
Stephen Nedumpally (Mohanlal) left Kerala four years ago, and now the state stands on the brink of assembly elections. In a desperate attempt to escape legal troubles, Chief Minister Jathin Ramdas (Tovino Thomas) aligns with the “central party” and Balraj Bajrangi (Abhimanyu Singh). This unexpected move shocks his party, especially his sister, Priyadarshini Ramdas (Manju Warrier).
Will Priyadarshini stand up to her own brother to protect the party? Can she hold her ground against the powerful forces closing in on her? And will Stephen Nedumpally — now living a secretive life abroad as Khureshi Ab'raam — return to her side? Will he reclaim his identity as Lucifer, or continue to remain in the shadows?
Artistes’ Performances:
Mohanlal returns as the enigmatic Stephen, aka Khureshi Abraam, aka Lucifer. Though he doesn’t appear in the first hour, his late entry electrifies the screen, propelling the film forward with his charismatic presence. He embodies the quintessential "mass hero" with effortless swagger, particularly shining in high-impact sequences like the intense forest fight episode. However, the role leans more on style than substance, offering fewer opportunities for nuanced performance.
Prithviraj Sukumaran makes brief appearances in a couple of sequences, while Tovino Thomas, taking on a negative role this time, fits well into his character. Manju Warrier brings a strong presence in the final portions, though her screen time is limited.
Abhimanyu Singh is excellent as the menacing Balraj Bajrangi, and Kishore gets some scope as a law enforcement officer. However, the film devotes significant screen time to foreign and lesser-known actors, which may not connect equally with all sections of the audience.
Technical Excellence:
The film’s biggest highlight is its grand scale — it feels like a Hollywood production, with scenes unfolding across various international locations.
The action sequences are mounted on an impressive scale, enhanced by stunning cinematography and breathtaking visuals.
Every frame exudes richness, and the stylized sequences serve as a major attraction.
However, the editing lacks sharpness, resulting in pacing issues that make the film feel slow and stretched at times.
The background score, while adequate, doesn’t deliver the impact needed to elevate key moments. Murali Gopy’s writing is a mixed bag — offering some compelling moments, but falling short in others.
Highlights:
Terrific style and visuals
Breathtaking cinematography
Production values
Drawback:
Unnecessary sequences in first half
Less drama and flimsy story
Pacing issues with length runtime
Analysis
The first part of Lucifer masterfully blended political themes with family drama, anchored by a strong emotional core. It was widely praised for Prithviraj Sukumaran’s direction, and Mohanlal’s mass moments were celebrated. The film’s success even led to a Telugu remake.
Building on that acclaim, Prithviraj set out to elevate L2: Empuraan with grand production values, drawing inspiration from filmmakers like Prashanth Neel, focusing on style, action, and visual spectacle.
His goal was likely to prove that the Malayalam film industry can deliver large-scale action entertainers for a pan-Indian audience — and in that regard, L2: Empuraan succeeds.
The film boasts international-standard visuals, lavish sets, and cinematic action sequences. However, in prioritizing style, the film sacrifices emotional depth. The drama that made Lucifer compelling is largely toned down, making parts of the film feel prolonged and exhausting.
The first half drags, taking too long to set up the narrative, with Mohanlal appearing nearly an hour into the film. The extended flashback sequence doesn't land as intended.
With numerous international characters and extended foreign-language dialogue, some portions lack engagement for the average viewer. However, the interval sequence injects fresh energy, resetting the tone.
Despite its flaws, the film isn't a disappointment. It moves from one sequence to the next with stylized slow-motion shots (some arguably overused) and a non-linear narrative that gradually reveals twists.
In the second half, the focus shifts to political intrigue, with the central party's tactics and Kerala politics taking center stage. Manju Warrier’s character plays a crucial role, and her scenes asserting control over the party are well executed. Mohanlal’s forest fight scene, where he rescues her, is a true whistle-worthy moment.
However, the film lacks the emotional weight of Lucifer. The original had a gripping emotional arc — centered around the chief minister and his illegitimate son (played by Mohanlal), and strong brotherly bonds. That emotional core is largely absent in L2.
Mohanlal, though effortlessly stylish and commanding, doesn’t get the same scope to showcase his acting depth as in the first film. His role leans heavily on swag over substance.
The biggest drawback is the runtime. At nearly three hours, the film feels overlong for a relatively thin storyline, and tighter editing would have made a big difference.
Overall, L2: Empuraan delivers on its promise of a lavish action spectacle, excelling in visuals and scale. But compared to Lucifer, it feels underwhelming due to lack of emotional depth and a stretched first half. Still, it’s a watchable experience for fans of Mohanlal and lovers of stylish action dramas.
Bottom-line: Grandness Only
