Verdict: “A visually stunning sequel that thrives on Mohanlal’s commanding presence but struggles with depth in storytelling.”
Introduction
L2: Empuraan, the much-anticipated sequel to Lucifer (2019), directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, brings back the enigmatic Khureshi Ab’raam (Mohanlal) in a larger-than-life action thriller. While the film successfully delivers a grand visual spectacle, it lacks the layered storytelling that made Lucifer a fan favorite. Despite some flaws, Mohanlal’s screen presence and Prithviraj’s technical finesse keep the film engaging.
Storyline & Themes
Set five years after Lucifer, the film explores the political and criminal turmoil in Kerala. Jathin (Tovino Thomas), now the Chief Minister, succumbs to power and corruption, aligning with a far-right national party and its leader Balraj Patel (Abhimanyu Singh). Their actions threaten Kerala’s socio-political fabric, particularly targeting Stephen’s Nedumpally constituency. As chaos unfolds, the only hope lies in the return of Stephen Nedumpally, now known as the powerful crime lord Khureshi Ab’raam.
Unlike Lucifer, which focused on political intrigue, Empuraan expands its scope globally, delving into international crime syndicates and intelligence agencies like MI6. The film also introduces an emotional backstory for Zayed Masood (Prithviraj), adding depth to his character but somewhat overshadowing the main narrative.
Performances
Mohanlal as Khureshi Ab’raam: A magnetic presence, his delayed yet impactful entry builds anticipation. His transformation into the feared mafia don is executed with brilliance, though the screenplay doesn’t fully explore his complexity.
Prithviraj as Zayed Masood: His backstory is compelling, but it takes too much focus away from the central conflict.
Tovino Thomas as Jathin: A nuanced performance, but his character’s downfall into corruption could have been more layered.
Abhimanyu Singh as Balraj Patel: A menacing antagonist, though the script dilutes the political depth of his character.
Manju Warrier as Priyadarshini: Despite potential, her role remains underdeveloped, reinforcing the male-dominated narrative.
Technical Brilliance
Cinematography (Sujith Vaassudev): Stunning visuals, especially in action sequences, though some color grading appears artificial.
Direction (Prithviraj Sukumaran): A master of spectacle, but the storytelling lacks the sharpness of Lucifer.
Editing (Akhilesh Mohan): The film feels stretched at times, with some sequences unnecessarily prolonged.
Action Sequences: Well-executed but lack the fluidity seen in high-quality international action films.
Background Score (Deepak Dev): One of the film’s major drawbacks; lacks the intensity needed for key moments.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros:
✅ Mohanlal’s commanding presence elevates the film.
✅ High production value and impressive cinematography.
✅ A fresh approach to world-building beyond conventional pan-Indian action films.
✅ Prithviraj’s meticulous direction in large-scale sequences.
Cons:
❌ Overextended runtime, making some scenes feel sluggish.
❌ Weak screenplay that fails to match Lucifer’s depth.
❌ Underdeveloped supporting characters, particularly the female leads.
❌ Background score lacks the impact needed for a high-octane thriller.
Final Verdict
L2: Empuraan is an ambitious sequel that dazzles with its visuals but falls short in its storytelling. While Mohanlal ensures a gripping watch, the film’s excessive focus on spectacle over substance makes it less compelling than Lucifer. For fans of stylish action thrillers, it’s worth watching, but a tighter script could have made it a truly unforgettable experience.
L2 Empuran Cast & Crew Details
Cast
Mohanlal as Khureshi Ab’raam / Stephen Nedumpally
Pranav Mohanlal as Young Khureshi Abr’aam / Stephen Nedumpally
Prithviraj Sukumaran as Zayed Masood
Karthikeyaa 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
Indrajith Sukumaran as Govardhan
Karthikeya Dev as Young Zayed
Kishore as Karthik
Sukant Goel as Munna
Suraj Venjaramoodu as Sajanachandran
Eriq Ebouaney as Kabuga
Nikhat Khan as Subhadra Ben
Fazil as Father Nedumpally
Sachin Khedekar as Perunjeri Kesava Ramdas / “PKR”
Saikumar as Mahesha Varma
Baiju Santhosh as Murukan
Nandhu as P. S. Peethambaran
Saniya Iyappan as Jhanvi
Satyajit Sharma as Masood
Oziel Jivani as Zaheer Masood
Aishwarya Ohja as Haniya
Nayan Bhatt as Suraiya Bibi
Shubhangi Latkar as Bahija Begum
Alexx O’Nell as Robert McCarthy
Mikhail Novikov as Sergei Leonov
Murugan Martin as Muthu
Shivaji Guruvayoor as Medayil Rajan
Manikuttan as Mani
Nyla Usha as Arundathi Sanjeev
Giju John as Sanjeev Kumar
Behzaad Khan as Salabath Hamza
Aneesh G. Menon as Sumesh
Sshivada as Sreelekha
Jaise Jose as Xavier
Crew
Director – Prithviraj Sukumaran
Producer – Antony Perumbavoor
Producer – Gokulam Gopalan
Production – Sree Gokulam Movies , Aashirvad Cinemas Pvt Ltd
Writer – Murali Gopy
DOP – Sujith Vaassudev
Music – Deepak Dev
Editor – Akhilesh Mohan
Executive Producers – Suresh Balaje, George Pius
Project Design – Prithviraj Productions
Production Controller – Sidhu Panakkal
Art Director – Mohandas
Trailer Cuts – Don Max
Chief Associate Director- Vava
Creative Director – Nirmal Sahadev
Sound Design – M R Rajakrishnan
Finance Controller – Manoharan K Payyannur
Action – Stunt Silva
Costume – Sujith Sudhakaran
Makeup – Sreejith Guruvayoor
VFX Supervisor – Praveen Ghanta
VFX – YFX Studios, Labyrinth Studios- Mumbai, Binary Circus, Paperplane, Ident, DTM
YFX Producer – Huseini Barodawala
SFX – Vishal Tyagi
First Associate Director – Renith Ravindran
Production Executives – Saji Joseph, Sethu Adoor
Finance Manager – Basil M Babu
Production Manager – Sasidharan Kandanassery
Multilingual Dubbing Director -RP Bala
DI – Annapurna Studios
Colorist – Vivek Anand
Still – Sinat Savier
Design – Anand Rajendran (Illuminartist)
Promotions – Poffactio
