L2: Empuraan(2025) - "A grand visual treat with powerful performances, but lacks the heart of its predecessor."
Directed by: Prithviraj Sukumaran
Written by: Murali Gopy
Starring: Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, Manju Warrier, Suraj Venjaramoodu
Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller
Categories: Telugu Featured, Telugu Movies 2025
Country: India
Language: Telugu
Plot Summary
The story picks up after the events of Lucifer, with Jathin Ramdas, the Kerala Chief Minister, deciding to part ways from his political party to form a new one under the influence of Baba Bajrangi (Balaraj). His sister, Priyadarshini Ramdas, firmly opposes his decision. Meanwhile, Khureshi Ab’raam (aka Stephen Nedumpally) returns to the scene, juggling his international influence with conflicts involving the Kabooga drug cartel. His involvement in global affairs and Kerala's political landscape creates a tense, power-packed narrative.
Highlights
Performances
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Mohanlal delivers a powerful yet understated performance, using subtle expressions and commanding screen presence. However, his screen time feels surprisingly limited, making it evident that the narrative revolves more around Prithviraj’s character.
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Prithviraj Sukumaran shines in his role, clearly taking center stage. His portrayal is intense, adding a layer of complexity to the story.
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Tovino Thomas makes an impact in his grey-shaded role, providing depth to the character that was hinted at in Lucifer.
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Manju Warrier performs decently but is underutilized, with limited scope to showcase her talent.
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Supporting actors like Suraj Venjaramoodu, Abhimanyu Singh, and Jerome Flynn give convincing performances.
Direction and Screenplay
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Prithviraj Sukumaran does an excellent job of elevating the narrative's grand scale, blending international settings with Kerala’s political tension. His flair for slow-motion sequences and dramatic moments adds an epic touch.
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Murali Gopy’s screenplay is ambitious, introducing a larger-than-life world of political manipulation, terrorism, and power dynamics. However, the story loses momentum in the second half, becoming a predictable revenge drama.
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The film’s execution is technically brilliant, but the lack of emotional connection might leave some viewers wanting more.
Cinematography and Music
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Sujith Vasudev’s cinematography is breathtaking, particularly the night scenes and wide-angle shots that capture the global scale of the story.
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Deepak Dev’s background score is powerful, particularly during the intro sequences. However, the latter half's music feels like an attempt to cater to a Bollywood audience, losing the authenticity of the original.
Strengths
✅ Grand Visual Experience: Exceptional cinematography and larger-than-life visuals.
✅ Strong Performances: Prithviraj and Mohanlal deliver impactful performances.
✅ High Production Quality: The international settings and lavish production design add to the immersive experience.
Weaknesses
❌ Less Focus on Mohanlal: The shift from Lucifer’s Stephen Nedumpally to a more Prithviraj-centered story may disappoint fans.
❌ Predictable Second Half: The film devolves into a typical revenge drama towards the end.
❌ Lack of Emotional Connect: Despite the grandeur, the emotional depth is lacking.
My Personal Take on Cinema
L2: Empuraan has all the makings of a massive action thriller. It’s technically brilliant and features powerful performances, especially from Prithviraj and Mohanlal. However, the story falters by sidelining Mohanlal’s character and losing the emotional core that made Lucifer engaging.
This could have worked better as a spin-off focusing solely on Prithviraj’s character, rather than attempting to tie it into the Lucifer narrative. While it remains a visual spectacle, the predictable second half leaves much to be desired.
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