Prithviraj speaks out on Empuraan controversy, says he will never make a film to deliver political statement: ‘After investing crores…’

Actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran recently asserted that he began making L2: Empuraan after narrating the story in script form to both Mohanlal and producer Antony Perumbavoor.

The Mohanlal-led L2: Empuraan was actor Prithviraj Sukumaran's third directorial venture. (Credit: Facebook/@PrithvirajSukumaran)

Despite opening to mixed responses from various quarters, Prithviraj Sukumaran’s third directorial venture, L2: Empuraan, starring Mohanlal in the lead role, became a massive commercial success and even ranked as the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time before it was eventually dethroned by Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra.

At a time when the movie was continuing its theatrical run, Empuraan also sparked controversy over its content, particularly the depiction of scenes set against the backdrop of the 2002 Gujarat riots, which right-wing organisations took offence to as it didn’t align with their narrative. Eventually, the makers of the movie subjected the already CBFC-certified film to “voluntary modifications” to resolve the issue. However, Prithviraj, Mohanlal, and the movie’s writer, Murali Gopy, faced considerable backlash during the controversy.

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Now, Prithviraj has finally spoken out about the row, clarifying his position. Asserting that he began making the movie after narrating the story of Empuraan in script form to both Mohanlal and producer Antony Perumbavoor, the actor-director stated that he does not make films to express his political stances.

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“For me to have been affected by it (the controversy), I should have made the movie with a particular conscious intention. I am sure that wasn’t the case. Its story convinced me, and after the script took shape, we narrated it to the male lead and the producer, and they were also convinced by it. My sole intention behind Empuraan was to entertain people. If that hasn’t happened, then it is my failure as a filmmaker,” he told Manorama News during the promotions of his upcoming movie Vilayath Buddha. L2: Empuraan was the second instalment in a planned trilogy that started with Prithviraj’s directorial debut, Lucifer (2019).

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He added, “I will never do a film simply to make a political statement. I don’t need to invest crores and make a movie to announce my political stance. In today’s digital age, issuing a statement on social media is often sufficient. As long as I am true to myself, and I have that conviction within me, I do not think I need to be afraid of anyone nor feel sad.” Mentioning that social media is extremely weaponised today, Prithviraj maintained, “When someone comments on something related to politics or social affairs, one group may paint them as a villain while another portrays them as a hero. Both are dangerous. Your words can be taken far away from their original meaning. In such times, staying silent is not wrong.”

He also maintained that his wish is for L3, the third instalment in the Lucifer franchise, to happen. However, Prithviraj shared that his next directorial venture won’t be that. Also starring Manju Warrier, Abhimanyu Singh, Tovino Thomas, and Indrajith Sukumaran in key roles, Empuraan grossed Rs 265.5 crore worldwide. It currently ranks as the second-highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time.

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