The controversy surrounding the Malayalam film Empuraan or officially ‘L2: Empuraan’, continues to brew and does not appear to die down. The film, which is a sequel to the 2019 blockbuster ‘Lucifer’, has invited furor from the larger right of the Indian political spectrum.
Empuraan Controversy
The film stars Malayalam actor Mohanlal and was written and directed by Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran.
The film, set against the backdrop of the infamous 2002 Godhra riots, has drawn the ire of some, who have accused the filmmakers of distorting the happenings of the events that unfolded in Gujarat in 2002. This also led the makers of the film to even trim some scenes from the film.
This controversy has invited significant of backlash from a certain section of the larger socio-political discourse, with many big names giving their two cents in the matter.
Mohandas Pai Jumps In
One such big name to share their opinion was Infosys’ former CFO and advocate of conservative causes, Mohandas Pai.
Pai, in one of his few posts on the matter chided Mohanlal for ‘celebrating’ the bumper start the film has received, crossing Rs 100 crore, in the matter of days.
Pai, in his incendiary post said, “Big shame. A big propaganda film based on fake narratives! @Mohanlal should be ashamed not gloat!”
Running Fake Narrative
Reacting to this, a Congress party activist slammed Pai and said the following: “Shame on u @TVMohandasPai n on those labeling @Mohanlal & @PrithviOfficial as ‘anti-national’ for #Empuraan. True patriotism is about courage, not blind conformity. This film is a bold voice for justice—something fake nationalists like u will never understand. #StandWithCinema #L2Empuraa.”
Reacting to this post, Pai, in the matter of minutes hit back with another post on X.
“Running fake narratives is not about courage! Who got burnt in Godhra? Who burnt the Kar Sevaks? Who were prosecuted and sentenced? People have to be honest not lie through their teeth if they want to show courage.”, added Mohandas Pai.
This films comes just a few months after ‘The Sabarmati Report’ another film set in the same period, which did not receive the kind of backlash, that this particular film has. Before that, another film Accident or Conspiracy: Godhra, was also released in the same year. The film attained poor reviews.
