Empuraan is an attempt to gatecrash into the pan-India phenomenon, says Prithviraj

The actor-filmmaker recalled that when he narrated the Lucifer sequel to Mohanlal, who headlined the first film, the legendary actor’s reaction stumped him. “When I narrated it to Mohanlal, I thought he’d tell me, ‘This won’t happen. Let it go.’ But he just said, ‘Let’s do this. Now, let’s go for dinner.’ During dinner, it was I who kept reminding him of how big the film is, but he just believed we could pull it off,” said Prithviraj.

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Prithviraj Sukumaran clarified that while he had jitters then, he’s always been sure of Malayalam cinema’s pan-India potential. “Malayalam cinema always had such a rich heritage. But we didn’t have the network to pull it off across the country. I’m thankful to Anil Thadani, whom I just called one midnight and he just said, ‘Yes, Prithvi.’ I promise Malayalam cinema will keep bugging you,” said Prithviraj, addressing the owner of AA Films, which has distributed the film in North India.

When asked if Malayalam cinema hasn’t been able to break through pan-India like Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada, and if Prithviraj plans to “rectify” that with E2: Empuraan, he clarified, “I wouldn’t use words like ‘rectification’ for Malayalam cinema. That would have meant we’ve lost our way. But we’ve been doing wonderfully well.”

“Malayalam is not essentially known for big-ticket popcorn entertainers. I’m sure we’ll get there. This film is an attempt to, as Mohanlal sir said, gatecrash into the pan-India phenomenon. I’m just hoping that this film does at least this much that someone from Jharkhand may spot a small Malayalam film and watch it in a theatre in the future,” added Prithviraj.

L2: Empuraan has been shot across multiple locations internationally, including China, the US, and parts of India. Prithviraj recalled how the first schedule was shot in Ladakh at -12 degrees and above 1,200 feet. It was “bitingly cold” and he was recovering from a major leg injury he suffered on the sets of Aadujeevitham. “The only reason I’m standing here today is because I began shooting for this film. It helped me with my rehabilitation,” he said.

Prithviraj revealed that his and Mohanlal’s favourite shooting location was Santa Fe in New Mexico. “We landed in Santa Fe right when Oppenheimer released. That’s where the Oppenheimer test took place. So it was very inspiring to be there as an artist.”

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At the promotional event, Mohanlal also expressed his “dream” to cut across boundaries, assemble actors from all regions, and make the biggest pan-India film. “I always wanted to make pan-India films, with all actors from all states, like an Ocean’s 11. If we get together, India can do wonderfully well,” he said.