The highly anticipated Malayalam action film, L2: Empuraan, starring Mohanlal, is set to hit theaters on March 27, 2025. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and written by Murali Gopy, this film serves as a sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer, which became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time with earnings exceeding Rs 200 crore.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting this release, and the excitement is palpable. L2: Empuraan has already made history by becoming the first Malayalam film to sell over 1 million tickets in advance on BookMyShow, resulting in a staggering presale business of over Rs 60 crore. This impressive feat has set the stage for what many anticipate will be a blockbuster performance at the box office.
The film features an ensemble cast that includes Mohanlal in the dual roles of Khureshi Ab'raam and Stephen Nedumpally, along with Prithviraj Sukumaran as Zayed Masood, Karthikeya Dev as Young Zayed, Abhimanyu Singh as Balraj, Tovino Thomas as Jathin Ramdas, Manju Warrier as Priyadarshini Ramdas, Andrea Tivadar as Michele Menuhin, Jerome Flynn as Boris Oliver, and Indrajith Sukumaran as Govardhan.
In terms of its storyline, L2: Empuraan continues the saga of Stephen's rise to power as the infamous Khureshi Ab'raam, exploring the aftermath of his departure from Kerala politics as depicted in the first film. The narrative is set five years after the events of Lucifer, with the plot intricately woven around Stephen's connections to the new Kerala Chief Minister, Jathin, and his family.
As the release date approaches, ticket prices have been a topic of interest. In Kochi, ticket prices for multiplexes range from Rs 200 to Rs 400, with premium seats priced up to Rs 800 and ultra-premium screens reaching Rs 1,400. Prices in single-screen theaters are generally lower, while IMAX 2D tickets have sold out for Rs 800 to Rs 1,000. In other cities like Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR, ticket prices have also seen increases, often exceeding Rs 500.
Notably, the film's advance booking has been nothing short of extraordinary. The film has grossed nearly Rs 16 crore in advance sales, with Kerala leading the contributions at Rs 10.62 crore, followed by Karnataka at Rs 2.56 crore. This puts L2: Empuraan just Rs 1.9 crore away from surpassing Ajith Kumar's Vidaamuyarchi, which closed its advance booking at Rs 18 crore, making it the second-highest opening day pre-sale film of 2025.
In a unique celebration of the film's release, Ashwin Venjaramoodu, the owner of the Pirappancode Nayara petrol pump, has decided to close his business from 1 PM to 5 PM on March 27 to allow his employees to join him in watching the film. A lifelong fan of Mohanlal, Ashwin has arranged tickets for all ten of his employees and provided transportation to the theater. He expressed his admiration for Mohanlal, recalling a time when he resigned from his job at Wipro in Mumbai because the company wouldn't grant him leave to watch Pulimurugan.
Director Prithviraj Sukumaran has shared insights about the film, stating, “When I made the first film, I ensured it had a self-contained story with a proper conclusion. However, with Empuraan, I have taken a different approach as a filmmaker. This movie will require a third installment for complete closure. Right now, the story for Empuraan 3 is in its early stages.”
The film's technical team remains consistent with that of Lucifer, ensuring a high-quality production. The same team that brought audiences the successful first film is back, promising a visually stunning experience.
As excitement builds, the film is also expected to have a wide release in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, enhancing its appeal beyond the Malayalam-speaking audience. This pan-Indian release strategy is aimed at capturing a broader audience, leveraging the film's compelling story and star power.
With the release of L2: Empuraan just around the corner, fans are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling cinematic experience. The buzz surrounding the film, combined with the impressive advance ticket sales, suggests that it will not only meet but potentially exceed the high expectations set by its predecessor.
As the countdown to the release continues, audiences are left to wonder: will L2: Empuraan break more records and solidify its place in Malayalam cinema history? One thing is for sure: the film is poised to make a significant impact on both fans and the box office alike.
