"Mohanlal apologized after being criticized as 'anti-Modi."

Kathmandu, April 1 – Indian superstar Mohanlal has apologized following criticism, particularly from Hindu nationalist groups, and confirmed that certain scenes from his new film have been removed. The Malayalam-language film L2: Empuraan was released on Thursday and has been performing well at the box office. It has also become the first Malayalam film to earn ₹200 crore within just five days of its opening weekend.

However, the film has faced backlash from Hindu groups, including members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly over scenes referencing the 2002 anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat state. Mohanlal has since come under fire for these depictions.

In a Facebook post, Mohanlal wrote: "As an artist, it is my duty to ensure that none of my films oppose any political movement, ideology, or religious group. The team of Empuraan and I sincerely regret the pain caused to our loved ones, and feeling responsible for this, we have decided to remove such contentious scenes from the film."

The controversy has sparked a debate over artistic freedom, with opposition parties like the Congress and leftist groups accusing the BJP of pressuring filmmakers. However, BJP leaders have denied launching any public campaign against the film, stating that people have the right to express their opinions on social media.

L2: Empuraan is a sequel to the Malayalam political thriller Lucifer, in which Mohanlal played Stephen Nedumpally, a mysterious figure later revealed to be the head of an international crime syndicate. Directed by Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film was not only a massive hit but also received largely positive reviews. Expectations were high for L2: Empuraan, which focuses on the return of Mohanlal’s character as a savior of Kerala’s politics from corrupt and evil forces.

The film begins with the backstory of a character named Zayed Masood, played by director Prithviraj himself, who was orphaned during riots in an Indian city. Some details resemble the 2002 religious violence in Gujarat when Modi was the state’s chief minister. A lengthy flashback sequence includes graphic scenes depicting Hindu mobs committing violent crimes against Muslims. It also shows how one of the rioters grows more powerful over the years and seeks dominance in Kerala’s political landscape. These scenes, in particular, have sparked outrage.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who had earlier wished the film team well before its release, later stated that he now realized "the film contains disturbing elements for Mohanlal’s fans and other viewers."

"A film should be viewed as a film, not as history. Any movie that distorts facts to build a narrative is bound to fail," he said. "I will not watch this film." Some BJP leaders have supported his stance, while BJP-aligned groups have accused the filmmakers of including "anti-national themes."

Even before its release, the film made headlines for its budget, marking a significant milestone for the Malayalam film industry. According to film analytics tracker Sacnilk, L2: Empuraan has already earned around ₹200 crore in its opening week.