The highly touted third instalment to Lucifer, L2 Empuraan, has split audiences. As much as the film promised drama and a fuller examination of the life of Stephen Nedumpally, many could not help but find it horribly long, boring, and even offensive because it seemed to indulge in political propaganda.
The Hindi-speaking audience especially appears traumatized by the exercise, with vast calls for a boycott of the third instalment, L3 The Beginning. Notwithstanding its audacious storyline and international scope, Empuraan is also hampered by pacing and coherence.
Also Read – Thammudu on July 4: Nithiin’s Comeback or Collapse?
The film’s three-hour runtime has been faulted for being overly long, running the risk of boring audiences. Further, its low-key but incendiary political subtext has alienated parts of the audience, who accuse it of exploiting sensitive issues for the sake of drama.
This frustration is compounded by the announcement of L3 The Beginning, which assures us that it will explore the history of Stephen Nedumpally while continuing the saga.
Also Read – Samantha Regrets Acting in Naga Chaitanya’s Films?
To many Hindi-speaking audiences, the announcement has come less as excitement and more as a looming horror. Social media is full of comments requesting the makers to keep L3 for Malayalam viewers and refrain from releasing it in Hindi altogether.
Though Prithviraj Sukumaran may have had his eyes set on a multi-part crime-political thriller in the mould of foreign franchises, reception to Empuraan indicates the vision mightn’t appeal across all sections of audiences. Meanwhile, the chances of a third part remain a contentious issue with fans and reviewers alike
Also Read – Pointless Drama Around MM Keeravani
Adding to the controversy, some film analysts believe that Empuraan struggles to find a balance between political messaging and entertainment. While Prithviraj Sukumaran has assured fans that L3 The Beginning will resolve many unanswered questions, skepticism remains high.
The Empuraan Prithviraj Sukumaran controversy is also drawing attention from Bollywood circles, as the South vs. North cinema debate resurfaces. Some believe Empuraan has failed to capture the pulse of a pan-India audience, while others argue that Prithviraj Sukumaran’s storytelling is meant for a niche audience.
With Hindi-speaking viewers showing resistance, it remains to be seen whether the next installment can overcome these barriers. The Empuraan Prithviraj Sukumaran controversy highlights the challenge of making a regional film a true pan-India success.
