The Central Board of Certification has ordered 17 changes to Mohanlal’s Malayalam film L2: Empuraan following backlash over its alleged portrayal of the 2002 Gujarat riots in which Hindus have been shown as aggressors. The film was released on March 27 and BJP and RSS members lost no time in criticising it. RSS-affiliated publication Organiser accused the film of pushing a divisive narrative, alleging that it was purposefully designed to reinforce the image of Hindus as primary aggressors during the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The CBFC office in Kerala reportedly reviewed the film following intervention from the central government. It suggested 17 cuts. If the revised version of the film is submitted to the CBFC by March 31, it is expected to be approved for screening in the following days.
The film’s producers have agreed to carry out the deletions and alterations. Producer Gokulam Gopalan said on March 29 that he had instructed director Prithviraj Sukumaran to make changes “if any scenes or dialogues in the movie had hurt anyone”.
The raging controversy has sparked political reactions across party lines. Congress praised the film for what they described as depiction of the reality behind Gujarat riots. The Kerala unit of Congress wrote on X: “Like Grok, Empuraan has demolished the Sangh Varsity!”
BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar initially wished the film success on social media, but several BJP and RSS functionaries later condemned it. Sangh-linked organisations like Hindu Aikyavedi and Bharatiya Yuvamorcha criticised the film. State secretary P. Sudheer denied that the film was discussed during the party meeting.