Mohanlal’s much-anticipated film, L2: Empuraan, was finally released on March 27, 2025, and it has set an unimaginable record on its opening day. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, this mass entertainer has received an overwhelming response from audiences, showcasing Mohanlal's unmatched stardom and popularity in Malayalam cinema.
According to Sacnilk, L2: Empuraan collected ₹22 crore across all languages in India on its opening day, surpassing previous records for Malayalam films. The previous highest was Prithviraj’s 2024 release, The Goat Life, which opened at ₹8.5 crore, and before that, Lucifer, also directed by Prithviraj and starring Mohanlal, earned ₹6.10 crore in 2019.
The film's success is particularly notable as it has become the biggest Malayalam opener post-COVID, with earnings that far exceed the previous record of ₹7.5 crore set by The Goat Life. In fact, L2: Empuraan earned 193% more than that film, marking a significant milestone for the industry.
Breaking down the collections, the Malayalam version alone raked in ₹19.45 crore, while the film also garnered ₹1.2 crore from Telugu, ₹0.8 crore from Tamil, ₹0.5 crore from Hindi, and ₹0.05 crore from Kannada. The film's dominance in Kerala was particularly evident, with strong occupancy rates in key cities like Kochi and Trivandrum, where occupancy reached 97.5% and 84.75%, respectively.
In terms of audience engagement, the film had an overall occupancy of 61.02% for the Malayalam version on its first day, with night shows recording the highest footfall at 66%. The IMAX version saw slightly lower occupancy at 53.42%.
Reviewers have praised L2: Empuraan for its high production values and gripping narrative. ETimes rated the film 3.5 out of 5, noting that while the anticipation was sky-high and the film delivered on many fronts, it did not quite capture the novelty and punch of its predecessor, Lucifer. The review mentioned, "Unfortunately, the pace dips in the second half, where the politics in Kerala could have really been engaging and fun... Of course, the anticipation is sky high on the movie and it delivers to some extent, but doesn’t manage to have the novelty, punch and star power that Lucifer gave us."
The film is the second installment of the Lucifer franchise, which was released in 2019. L2: Empuraan explores themes of political drama intertwined with high-stakes action. The filmmakers aim to elevate the film to a pan-Indian level, hoping to redefine the boundaries of Malayalam cinema and cement its place among the biggest blockbusters in Indian film history.
The star-studded cast includes Tovino Thomas as Jathin Ramdas, Indrajit Sukumaran as Govardhan, Manju Warrier as Priyadarshini Ramdas, and Suraj Venjaramoodu as Sanjanachaandran. Each character is expected to bring their own intrigue to the story, enhancing the overall cinematic experience.
Film trade analyst Ramesh Bala highlighted the film's success on social media, stating, "UNSTOPPABLE MASS ACTION! L2: Empuraan has earned glowing reviews from top media and critics – a true BLOCKBUSTER!" Another analyst, Taran Adarsh, remarked, "'EMPURAAN' TAKES A HISTORIC START ACROSS KERALA... The highly anticipated biggie has taken a record-breaking start across Kerala... theatres are witnessing packed shows, signaling an earth-shattering opening."
As the film continues to perform strongly, it is projected to surpass the lifetime collections of other top Malayalam films, including Officer On Duty and Rekhachithram, which earned ₹31.55 crore and ₹27 crore, respectively, during their runs. Given its mass appeal and action-packed storyline, L2: Empuraan is poised to break records in the coming days, especially with the extended weekend ahead.
The film has received a “UA 16+” rating from the censor board and features an approved runtime of 180 minutes. It is produced by Aashirvad Cinemas, Sree Gokulam Movies, and Lyca Productions, showcasing a collaboration that promises high-quality entertainment.
As of now, L2: Empuraan has earned an estimated ₹22.24 crore net in India after two days, with ₹0.24 crore net on its second day. The film's impressive opening and positive reception suggest that it may continue to dominate the box office in the weeks to come.
With the excitement surrounding the film, audiences and critics alike are eager to see how L2: Empuraan will shape the landscape of Malayalam cinema moving forward. The film's strong start and engaging storyline hint at a successful run, and it may very well become a defining moment in the careers of those involved.
