Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s much-anticipated film L2E: Empuraan, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, is set to release on March 27. As part of the film’s promotions in Hyderabad, Mohanlal praised the Telugu film industry, calling it the best in the country
The highly anticipated film L2E: Empuraan is set to hit the screens on March 27, with Malayalam superstar Mohanlal playing the lead role and Prithviraj Sukumaran directing while also portraying a key character. The film serves as a sequel to the blockbuster Lucifer, with a third installment planned for the future. As part of their promotional tour, the Empuraan team visited Hyderabad, where Mohanlal spoke highly of the Telugu film industry. Dil Raju is distributing the Telugu version of the film and overseeing its release.
Speaking at the event, Mohanlal expressed his admiration for Tollywood. “I wanted to speak in Telugu, but I’m not fluent enough. Thank you, Dil Raju garu, for accepting our film. As Prithvi said, the Telugu industry is the best in the country. The kind of respect you show towards cinema and artists is truly remarkable,” said the legendary actor.
Reflecting on his decades-long career, Mohanlal shared his experiences working with Telugu cinema legends. “In my 47-year journey, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the greatest actors, including Nageswara Rao sir. In Kerala, we watch films from all languages, but now, that habit needs to change—people should watch our films as well,” he added.
Discussing the film, Mohanlal expressed his excitement about the film’s emotional depth and scale. “This film is very close to our hearts. When we made Lucifer, it was a unique experience not just for Kerala audiences but for film lovers everywhere. Empuraan is more than just a sequel; we’ve already planned three films in this series. When this film becomes a hit, we’ll return with the third installment as well,” he said.
Director and actor Prithviraj Sukumaran thanked Dil Raju for bringing the film to Telugu audiences. “We really hope this is the beginning of something big for us,” he remarked. He also urged audiences to watch the Telugu version. “People usually prefer the original with subtitles, but for this film, I can confidently say the Telugu version is just as authentic as the original,” he assured.
Prithviraj emphasised Tollywood’s growing influence. “Today, Telugu cinema, which was once a regional industry, has now become India’s biggest film industry, thanks to its audiences. I hope Empuraan can mark the beginning of such a journey for Malayalam cinema,” he said.
Dil Raju acknowledged the efforts of filmmakers like Rajamouli, Prashanth Neel and Sukumar in taking regional cinema to international audiences. “Now, it’s Prithviraj garu’s turn to elevate Malayalam cinema to a national level,” he concluded.
