Legendary cinematographer PC Sreeram has stirred a fresh controversy with his comment on L2: Empuraan, the political thriller directed by and starring Prithviraj Sukumaran.
The Mohanlal-led film, which includes scenes resembling the 2002 Gujarat riots, had already sparked outrage from right-wing groups. They accused it of being “anti-Hindu” and demanded strict censorship.
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Initially, PC Sreeram had stood by the film. He had even urged Prithviraj not to bow down to pressure or dilute the film’s message. Praising the director’s bold stance, he said, “Truth threatens, thus Empuraan stands tall.”
His statement implied that the criticism was rooted more in guilt than genuine concern.
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However, the film didn’t escape unscathed. Following intense backlash, it underwent heavy censorship. Scenes were cut, names were altered, and several dialogues were muted.
The edited version, significantly toned down, is now available for streaming on JioCinema (Hotstar).
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Reacting to this OTT release, PC Sreeram posted a blunt and cryptic tweet: “Empuraan on OTT is a comedy.”
The tweet has since raised eyebrows. It’s unclear whether he’s mocking the film itself or expressing frustration at the heavily edited version.
Given his earlier praise for the theatrical cut, it appears more likely that he’s disappointed by how the film’s original political edge has been diluted.
