Why makers of Prithviraj-Mohanlal’s L2 Empuraan are going back to the editing table; report says new edited version to release next week

Producer Gokulam Gopalan, who came onboard the project in the last minute to ensure Empuraan had a smooth release, was quoted by Manorama Online as saying that he asked Prithviraj to make necessary changes. “I told Prithviraj Sukumaran to make necessary changes if any dialogue or scene in the film hurt anyone. Certain words have already been muted. There is a protest against certain things in the film. I have asked the director to make necessary changes. We are not involved in any politics,” he said.

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Gopalan said that re-edit and re-censoring wouldn’t be a simple affair and shared with Manorama Online, “Don’t know what technical difficulties they might face while making the changes. because if it were to be changed in a certain theatre, it would cost a lot. The film is running in 4000 cinemas, so my guess is that at least Rs 40 lakh would have to be spent making those changes.”

Soon after the film’s release, there were sections of the audience who were very hurt about the depiction of the riots. In fact, when asked by PTI about these polarising reactions, Empuraan writer Murali Gopy preferred to keep his silence on the same, and just said, “Let them fight it out. Everyone has the right to interpret the film in their way. Let them interpret it. I will keep mum.”

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Even as the voices calling for a boycott of the Mohanlal-starrer are growing louder, BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar shared his wishes for the Empuraan team, and wrote, “Best wishes, Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran and team! Look forward to watching and enjoying Empuraan one of these days!” In addition, the party’s state secretary P Sudheer, said, “The party will not go for any campaign against Empuraan. Cinema will be treated as cinema and individuals can air their views as an audience. We do not oppose any movie.”

As per Manorama News, Empuraan’s team is planning to incorporate around 17 cuts in the film, and also tone down the portrayal of violence against women. Incidentally, this was one of the major criticisms levied against the Prithviraj film, which released worldwide on March 27. The new version of the film is expected to release next week. The film, which was released in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi stars a galaxy of stars including Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Abhimanyu Singh, Nikhat Khan, and Prithviraj.