What’s it about?
Stephen Nedumpally (Mohanlal) lives in exile, operating under a different identity in international circles. Known as Abraam Khureshi, he is a key figure in a global cartel, aided by Zayed Masood (Prithviraj Sukumaran), whom he rescued from a terrorist group two decades ago.
Meanwhile, in Kerala, political turmoil is brewing. Chief Minister Jathin Ramdas (Tovino Thomas) decides to break away from his IUF party, form a new one, and align with the ruling party at the center—primarily to evade looming legal troubles. This move shocks his sister, Priyadarshini Ramdas (Manju Warrier), and their party members.
Determined to uphold the legacy of her father, Ramdas, Priyadarshini takes on the challenge of contesting against her brother in the upcoming elections. In the shadows, her stepbrother, Stephen Nedumpally, steps in to guide her. But who is Stephen, really? Is he Abraham, Stephen, or Lucifer himself?
Analysis
Mohanlal’s “Lucifer,” directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, set new box office records in Malayalam cinema when it was released in 2019. Megastar Chiranjeevi later remade the film in Telugu as “Godfather,” reprising Mohanlal’s role. Now, the highly anticipated sequel, “L2 Empuraan,” has been released, carrying forward the “Lucifer” franchise.
For those who remember the first part, “Lucifer” ended with Stephen Nedumpally (Mohanlal) making his stepbrother (Tovino Thomas) the chief minister of Kerala before leaving for an undisclosed international location. The final scene showed him receiving a grand welcome from Prithviraj’s character in the middle of a desert. “L2 Empuraan” picks up from here but first takes us back to 2002, exploring the childhood of Prithviraj’s character, and how he came into contact with Mohanlal’s character.
After establishing Prithviraj’s backstory and his motivations for aiding Stephen, Mohanlal finally enters the narrative—exactly at the 60-minute mark. The story then shifts focus to multiple international agencies trying to capture Stephen, who now operates under the identity AK as the head of a global cartel. With events unfolding across Iraq, Senegal, London, France, Kashmir, and Kerala, the film delivers the scale of a Hollywood action spectacle. The first half takes considerable time setting up the plot, but the main storyline gains momentum post-interval.
While “L2 Empuraan” lacks the emotional depth and drama of “Lucifer, the second half of “L2 Empuraan” elevates the film.
Following the current trend of stylized action and grand production values, Prithviraj Sukumaran has mounted “L2 Empuraan” on a massive scale, delivering breathtaking cinematography. The action sequences, especially the forest episode, are superb, and there are moments of brilliance in both visuals and stunt choreography. Some scenes, along with the grand production design, meet global standards. Prithviraj undoubtedly elevates Malayalam cinema to a new level in terms of scale and vision. However, the film suffers from predictability in its screenplay, lacking depth in drama and emotions. The excessive runtime, overuse of slow-motion shots, and a sluggish pace also affect the overall impact.
While Murali Gopy received significant credit for the film, the script itself is its biggest drawback, lacking coherence.
Mohanlal, once again, exudes unmatched swag. Despite his late entry, his presence is felt throughout, and every scene he appears in becomes instantly riveting. His charisma remains the film’s biggest strength. Tovino Thomas, however, gets limited scope, primarily showcasing the negative shades of his character. Manju Warrier gains prominence in the final act, particularly in a striking moment where she appears in a saree featuring the Indian flag’s colors. Abhimanyu Singh is terrific as the main antagonist, while Prithviraj Sukumaran delivers a decent performance. With a large ensemble cast, most actors don’t get significant screen time.
On the technical front, “L2 Empuraan” is outstanding. Sujith Vaassudev’s cinematography is a visual treat, delivering top-tier visuals that enhance the film’s grandeur. The production design and overall production values are spectacular. The background score, while functional, doesn’t leave a strong impact.
As a director, Prithviraj Sukumaran proves his capability in crafting an action spectacle with lavish visuals, but a tighter screenplay and sharper editing would have made the experience more engaging.
Bottom line: Some of the action episodes and visuals in “L2 Empuraan” are on par with international standards, and the film is quite high on style. Though it lacks depth in drama and emotional engagement, the film depicts Kerala’s political dynamics. Watch it for Mohanlal’s swag, grand visuals, and style, despite underwhelming story and lack of strong drama.
Rating: 2.75/5
By Jalapathy Gudelli
Movie: L2 Empuraan
Cast: Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, Manju Warrier, Andrea Tivadar, Indrajith Sukumaran, Abhimanyu Singh, Kishore, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Nikhat Khan, Fazil, Sachin Khedekar, Saikumar, Saniya Iyappan and others
Writer: Murali Gopy
DOP: Sujith Vaassudev
Music: Deepak Dev
Editor: Akhilesh Mohan
Art Director: Mohandas
Action: Stunt Silva
Producer: Antony Perumbavoor
Directed by: Prithviraj Sukumaran
Release Date: March 27, 2025
