Finally, Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s much-awaited movie Empuraan, which means more than a king, less than a god, has been released. The first 25 minutes of the film are absolutely fantastic because this part showcases Prithviraj Sukumaran’s past. To fully understand this film, one must watch its first part, Lucifer, as Empuraan heavily relies on its prequel’s storyline.
As I mentioned earlier, this is the second part of Lucifer, so it carries forward many backlinks from the previous film. Mohanlal’s screen presence is truly powerful, and he looks amazing on screen. The movie is 3 hours long, which could have been trimmed down since the political drama in between slows down the film and makes it feel stretched, leading to moments of boredom.
In the Malayalam industry, Empuraan has created a huge craze and is likely to be a superhit there. However, in the Hindi-speaking audience, the film hasn’t generated much excitement. The cinema halls were mostly empty during the screening.
All of Mohanlal’s entry scenes in Empuraan are outstanding, but since each one is shown in slow motion, it slows down the movie’s pace. The repeated use of slow-motion shots for every scene featuring Mohanlal affects the film’s overall flow. However, his presence on screen is truly captivating and leaves an impact on the audience.
Prithviraj Sukumaran’s acting is also commendable. He plays a double role in Empuraan, and he has portrayed both characters brilliantly.
One of the highlights of Empuraan that the audience will love is its action sequences and impressive graphics. The only drawback is its excessive length.
At the end of the movie, there is a hint about a third part, which is an exciting revelation for fans.
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Mohanlal and Prithviraj’s Decisions: Mohanlal, who stars as Khureshi Ab’raam, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, who directed and also stars in the film, reportedly decided to forgo their usual fees.
Prithviraj explained that they wanted to allocate the entire budget to film production, rather than actor compensation.
The film, a sequel to “Lucifer,” aims for high-quality production with emphasis on visual spectacle and storytelling.
The film is estimated to cost around ₹180 crore.
Other cast members, like Manju Warrier and Tovino Thomas, have not disclosed their compensation.
Production Journey
“Empuraan” was a massive project that took 14 months to complete. Before filming began, the crew spent 18 months seeking locations around India and other international destinations. Principal photography started on October 5, 2023, in Faridabad, Haryana. The first schedule included stops in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh.
Filming moved to the United Kingdom in early 2024, followed by significant shoots in cities across the United States, including New York, San Francisco, and Atlanta. Later schedules included Chennai, Kerala, Gujarat, Hyderabad, and even overseas destinations like the United Arab Emirates and Russia. Filming wrapped up on December 1, 2024, following an exhausting yet successful production phase.
Cast & Characters
Mohanlal reprises his role as Stephen Nedumpally, better known as Khureshi Ab’raam, the strong underworld figure from “Lucifer.” Prithviraj Sukumaran returns not just as the director, but also as Zayed Masood, a figure likely to have a larger role in the sequel. Tovino Thomas, Indrajith Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Baiju Santhosh, Saikumar, Fazil, and Sachin Khedekar all return. Furthermore, Suraj Venjaramoodu joins the cast in a key role. However, performers like Adil Ibrahim and Sunil Sukhada, who appeared in “Lucifer,” will not return.
Censorship and Runtime
The film was censored on March 6, 2025, and earned a UA16+ classification, indicating that it is appropriate for audiences over the age of 16 with parental supervision. “Empuraan” has a final runtime of around 179 minutes (just under 3 hours), providing for a spectacular cinematic experience.
Conclusion
“Empuraan” is poised to redefine Malayalam cinema with its massive scale, gripping storyline, and stellar performances. With Mohanlal leading the cast and Prithviraj directing, the film is set to be a game-changer for the industry
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