L2 Empuraan starring Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran has been making it to the headlines for wrong reasons. The movie, which was released last Thursday, received a bumper opening at the box office, but netizens and many political parties are not happy with a few scenes that have the reference to the 2002 Gujarat riots. The makers decided to delete those scenes and a report in Onmanorama states that according to the latest certificate issued by the Censor Board of Film Certification, the re-edited version has 24 cuts.
Earlier, there were reports that the movie will have 17 cuts, but the latest report claims that there are 24 cuts. A lot of things have been changed in the film, like the villain’s name has been changed from Balraj Bajrangi to Baldev. The Central Minister Suresh Gopi’s name from the thank-you credit has been removed, and even references to the NIA have been muted. A scene featuring a woman been assaulted has been removed, and many more changes have been done.
Mohanlal’s Apology
After the film got embroiled in the controversy, the veteran actor on his Facebook shared an apology. He wrote, “I have learned that some of the political-social themes that have emerged in the expression of the movie 'Emburan', the second part of the 'Lucifer' franchise, have caused a lot of depression for many of my lovers. As an artist, it is my duty to ensure that none of my movies harbors hatred towards any political movement, idea or religion. Therefore, myself and the Empuran team sincerely regret the mental pain caused to my loved ones, and with the realization that the responsibility lies with all of us who worked behind the film.”
“We have decided together to compulsorily remove such topics from the cinema. I have lived my cinema life as one of you for the last four decades. Your love and faith is my only strength. I believe there is no Mohanlal greater than that... With love Mohanlal,” he further added.
L2 Empuraan Box Office Collection
L2 Empuraan in five days has collected Rs. 70.15 crore (all languages) which is decent. After a bumper opening of Rs. 21 crore, It further started showing drop in the collection, but it has been still minting a double digit number.
