Antony Perumbavoor, the main co-producer of the Mohanlal-starrer L2: Empuraan, has firmly dismissed claims made by filmmaker and retired army officer Major Ravi, asserting that everyone involved in the film was fully aware of its content prior to release. Addressing the controversy, Antony emphasised that the decision to proceed with the script and later make minor edits was a collective one, uninfluenced by external pressure. He also assured that the third instalment in the Lucifer franchise is "definitely" happening.
In a recent statement, Antony clarified that only two minutes and a few seconds had been removed from the final version, asserting that these edits were made responsibly and not out of fear. “We do not create films that hurt people. If anyone was affected, it is our duty to address it,” he said. He also rejected suggestions that Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film's director, should be singled out, stating that decisions regarding the film’s content were made collectively by the entire team. Antony also refuted Major Ravi’s claim that lead actor Mohanlal had not watched the film prior to its release. “Mohanlal sir knew the story, and so did I. Any assertions to the contrary are incorrect,” he said. Ravi had alleged that Mohanlal rarely intervenes in script decisions and had not viewed Empuraan before its release, much like his past films.
Following Ravi's remarks, veteran actor and Prithviraj's mother Mallika Sukumaran issued a strong defence of her son, dismissing allegations that he had misled the film’s team. “Not a single scene was filmed without Mohanlal and Antony’s full knowledge,” she said. She also criticised attempts to scapegoat Prithviraj, arguing that responsibility for the film rested with the entire team, not just its director.
The controversy surrounding Empuraan intensified after right-wing groups objected to its depiction of communal violence, claiming it misrepresented historical events. Despite a disclaimer stating that the film was purely fictional, critics alleged that certain scenes bore resemblance to the 2002 Gujarat riots, leading to calls for Mohanlal’s honorary Lieutenant Colonel rank to be revoked.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Empuraan has continued to perform exceptionally well at the box office, surpassing Rs 200 crore in worldwide earnings. Theatre owner Liberty Basheer, president of the Kerala Film Exhibitors’ Federation, described it as the biggest success of his four-decade career, noting that multiple theatres had witnessed continuous houseful shows since the film’s release.
