Empuraan’ Controversy: Film censored again, changes made

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s latest release, Empuraan, has been embroiled in controversy since its release on March 27. The film, a sequel to the blockbuster Lucifer, is directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, who also plays a pivotal role in both films.
Following its release, Empuraan faced backlash over certain scenes that some groups found objectionable. One of the major points of contention was a sequence depicting riots in Gujarat, where a character named Balraj Bajrangi (played by Abhimanyu Singh) was shown abusing women, including a pregnant woman. Right-wing political groups criticised the portrayal of Hindu leaders, prompting the filmmakers to make changes. The character’s name was altered from Balraj Bajrangi to Baba Bajrangi.
Additionally, the film underwent re-censorship, resulting in the removal of a few minutes from the controversial sequence. The scene depicting abuse against women was cut by two minutes, while the sequence involving the pregnant woman was entirely removed. Initially, the film had a runtime of approximately 180 minutes, but following these edits, it now stands at 177 minutes and 44 seconds.
Lead actor Mohanlal addressed the controversy and issued an apology, stating, “As an artist, it is my duty to ensure that none of my films promote hatred towards any political movement, ideology, or religious group.” His statement, written in Malayalam, assured that he and his team took necessary steps to resolve the issue.
Director-actor Prithviraj Sukumaran’s mother also defended him on social media, asserting that all key stakeholders, including Mohanlal, were aware of the film’s script from the beginning. “It is unfair to put the entire blame on Prithviraj,” she stated in her post.
Despite the controversy, Empuraan has shattered box office records, becoming the highest-opening Malayalam film and surpassing the Rs 100 crore mark within just a few days of its release.