“Lucifer and L2 Empuraan – Unstoppable Force, Unmatched Legacy”

Lucifer and L2 Empuraan: The eagerly awaited follow-up to the 2019 Malayalam blockbuster “Lucifer,” “L2: Empuraan,” was released on March 27, 2025. The film, which was written by Murali Gopy and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, explores the mysterious life of Mohanlal’s character Stephen Nedumpally and reveals how he became the notorious criminal Khureshi Ab’raam.

Overview of the Plot

Gujarat is experiencing communal riots in 2002, when the movie opens. A sympathetic political activist named Subhadra Ben takes in a young Zayed and his family. Unfortunately, Munna, Subhadra’s nephew, betrays them because of his long-standing hostility towards Muslims. Munna and his brother Balraj plan a massacre as a result of this betrayal, which kills Subhadra and Zayed’s family. Zayed escapes, but he is quickly taken prisoner by a terrorist organisation that uses children as props. The Khureshi-Ab’raam nexus ambushes their convoy as it is being transported to Pakistan for training. As Khureshi Ab’raam, Stephen saves the kids and adopts Zayed, promising to assist him in getting revenge.​

Jathin Ramdas, the chief minister of Kerala, is currently being investigated for financial fraud and money laundering. In the midst of this chaos, Sajanachandran’s new opposition party, Akhanda Shakthi Morcha (ASM), rises to prominence. Jathin declares his departure from the Indian Union Front (IUF) in order to establish the IUF (PKR), a new faction that aligns with the ASM and whose national leader is identified as Balraj, who is now Baba Bajrangi. The political climate in Kerala could become unstable as a result of this alliance.​

International intelligence organisations, such as MI6 and Interpol, step up their efforts to uncover the Khureshi-Ab’raam connection at the same time. Unaware of Boris Oliver’s covert connection to Ab’raam, MI6 officer Michelle Menuhin is tasked with tracking Ab’raam. In the meantime, Ab’raam strengthens his position against drug trafficking by intercepting and eliminating African crime lord Kabuga and Interpol agent Robert McCarthy as they plot to traffic drugs.​

Journalist Govardhan learns of Stephen’s dual identity while investigating him in New York. Stephen promises Govardhan that he will return to Kerala once his mission is over. After that, he goes to Iraq and breaks up Kabuga’s syndicate with Zayed’s help. Stephen fabricates his death to deceive his enemies, upending Kerala’s political order.

Jathin’s sister Priyadarshini is protesting against a contentious dam project in Nedumpally, Kerala. She survives an attack and is saved by Stephen, who convinces her to run for Chief Minister on behalf of the IUF. After kidnapping Jathin, Stephen forces him to back Priya’s campaign by disclosing his prior transgressions. After a dramatic altercation, Stephen and Zayed avenge Balraj and Munna. Jathin is killed in a Stephen-planned helicopter explosion, and Priya begins her political campaign.​

Setting the scene for the following installment, the film ends with Stephen getting a call from the head of the Shen triad, an Afro-Chinese criminal syndicate affiliated with Kabuga.

Characters and the Cast

In his comeback performance, Mohanlal portrays the nuanced character of Stephen Nedumpally/Khureshi Ab’raam. Prithviraj Sukumaran makes a comeback as Stephen’s dependable assistant, Zayed Masood. The global narrative is enhanced by the ensemble cast, which includes international actors Jerome Flynn and Eriq Ebouaney, Manju Warrier as Priyadarshini Ramdas, Tovino Thomas as Jathin Ramadas, and Indrajith Sukumaran as Govardhan.

The Production Process

Following the success of “Lucifer,” “L2: Empuraan” was first developed in June 2019. The production was originally scheduled to begin filming in the middle of 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays. Murali Gopy was able to broaden the scope of the screenplay during this break, conceiving of a stand-alone story that enhances its predecessor. Beginning in October 2023, principal photography took place over 145 days in various locations in India, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. The film’s ambitious scope is reflected in its substantial budget of around ₹180 crore.​

The Music Scene

Deepak Dev, who wrote the music for “Lucifer,” is back to compose the soundtrack. The music enhances key scenes and blends in perfectly with the gripping story of the movie. Prithviraj Sukumaran’s notable contribution of lyrics to an English song demonstrated the team’s spirit of cooperation. Anticipation has increased as a result of hits like “Phir Zinda” and “Kaavali Chevakar.”​

Box Office Performance

With a global opening weekend gross of ₹175 crore, “Lucifer & L2: Empuraan” made a huge impact at the box office and established a new standard for Malayalam films. But after Salman Khan’s “Sikandar” came out, the movie’s revenue dropped, underscoring how cutthroat the business is.

A Critical View

“Lucifer & L2: Empuraan” has received praise from critics for its technical mastery, character development, and complex narrative. The depth and subtlety of Mohanlal’s portrayal of Stephen Nedumpally have drawn special appreciation. The film’s international settings, action scenes, and cinematography have all received praise, confirming its reputation as a cinematic masterpiece.

Prospects for a Sequel

The movie ends with a post-credits sequence revealing the title of the last part of the trilogy, “L3: The Beginning.” The confrontation between Khureshi Ab’raam and Rick Yune’s character, the leader of the Shen triad group, is expected to be explored in this next chapter, laying the groundwork for an exciting conclusion.​

In conclusion

“Lucifer & L2 Empuraan” is a testament to the development of Malayalam cinema, skilfully fusing technical mastery with gripping narrative. Its examination of identity, morality, and power strikes a chord with viewers both at home and abroad. “L2: Empuraan” keeps enthralling and inspiring viewers as they anxiously await the trilogy’s conclusion, showcasing Indian cinema’s excellence on a worldwide scale.

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