The highly anticipated Malayalam action thriller L2: Empuraan, starring Mohanlal, is all set for a worldwide release on March 27. Carrying immense hype and excitement, the film has already become a source of pride for Mollywood. Fans have been showering their love through massive pre-bookings, setting new benchmarks even before its release.
Censor, Budget & Business Details
L2: Empuraan has been certified U/A by the censor board with a runtime of 179 minutes and 52 seconds (2 hours, 59 minutes, and 52 seconds). The film’s budget is estimated to be over ₹150 crores, excluding the remunerations of Mohanlal and director Prithviraj Sukumaran, who are involved in profit-sharing instead.
Initially backed by Lyca Productions and Ashirvad Cinemas, the project later saw a shift in production, with Gokulam Movies stepping in after Lyca opted out due to undisclosed reasons. Gokulam Movies played a crucial role in ensuring the film’s release as scheduled.
The film’s pre-release business is valued at approximately ₹100 crores, with ₹30 crores coming from overseas markets and ₹70 crores from India—marking the biggest pre-release deal in Mollywood history. Non-theatrical rights negotiations are still ongoing, as the team is quoting high prices, further fueling OTT platforms’ interest in acquiring the film.
Record-Breaking Advance Bookings
The advance booking numbers for L2: Empuraan are nothing short of phenomenal. The production team has confirmed that ticket pre-sales have exceeded all expectations. The film has already crossed the $2 million mark in overseas pre-sales, breaking previous Mollywood records, where the highest opening film had only reached $1.6 million. Additionally, L2: Empuraan has set pre-sales records in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu five days ahead of its release.
Given the overwhelming response, the film is expected to open with a staggering ₹50 crore gross on day one. Industry insiders are confident that L2: Empuraan will become Mollywood’s first-ever ₹300 crore blockbuster.
Plot Overview
Picking up from where its predecessor left off, L2: Empuraan follows Stephen, who successfully helped his half-brother Jatin rise to power as the head of state, staying true to his family’s core values. As elections approach, Jatin navigates the complex world of politics, making decisions behind the scenes, while Stephen finds himself entangled in a web of power, loyalty, and unforeseen challenges.
With an unprecedented buzz, record-breaking bookings, and a gripping storyline, L2: Empuraan is all set to redefine Malayalam cinema on a global scale.