The producers of the latest Malayalam film L2: Empuraan, starring Mohanlal and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, are reportedly planning to implement over 17 edits to the movie and rename the antagonist, initially known as ‘Baba Bajrangi’. This decision follows significant backlash from right-wing groups concerning the film’s depiction of communal violence, featuring incidents that bear close resemblance to the Gujarat riots of 2002.
After its release on March 27, Empuraan came under intense right-wing scrutiny for its narrative choices, particularly regarding its representation of what has been understood to be a portrayal of the 2002 Gujarat riots, even though the film had added a disclaimer that everything was fiction. Notably, the film’s antagonistic character named Balraj Patel aka Baba Bajrangi drew specific criticism due to its resemblance to a real-life figure associated with the riots — Babubhai Patel, known by his alias Babu Bajrangi.
A former leader of the Bajrang Dal, a Hindu right-wing organisation, Babu Bajrangi was convicted for his role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, specifically for leading the Naroda Patiya massacre where 97 Muslims were killed. He was sentenced to life imprisonment but was later granted bail on medical grounds.
Following the backlash, the film’s producers are reported to have approached the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), agreeing to make over 17 cuts, including altering scenes deemed controversial and changing the antagonist’s name to mitigate further controversy. Reports also say that scenes depicting graphic violence against women will be shortened.
Initially, the CBFC had recommended only two to three cuts to the film. This included trimming the depiction of sexual violence against a woman by half and reducing the portrayal of physical violence against a woman to a brief flash. The CBFC also suggested that a scene featuring an interpretation of the national flag either be removed, replaced, or muted. These changes were made before the film’s release, reportedly shortening the final runtime of the film — originally 179 minutes and 52 seconds — by 10 seconds to align with the CBFC’s requirements.
The film was reviewed by a panel consisting of CBFC regional officer Nadeem Thufail and four members — Swaroopa Kartha, Roshni Das K, CM Mahesh, and Manjuhasan MM. At least some of the panelists are known to be either aligned with Hindutva parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), or are spouses of party members. This has led to a section of people aligned with the Sangh directing their anger at these CBFC members, for allowing the film to pass without too many cuts.
When contacted, Mahesh and Roshini refused to respond to the controversy. Sources said that BJP state leadership has given instruction to the CBFC members not to respond.
As per norms, minimum four members of CBFC panel along with the regional officer should review the films. The title of the movie and names of co-panellists will be kept secret till the final minutes of screening. The director or producer has to be present at the CBFC screening, which should be held at state-run Chithranjali studio or Kalabhavan theatre. Suggestions will be considered only if there is a unanimity among minimum three members. The film crew will get options to file an appeal which will be considered by the central panel of CBFC.
Empuraan is the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer and the second instalment in a planned trilogy. The controversy on the same day as the film’s release, with several right-wing groups calling to stop it from being exhibited. The film, which opened to mixed reviews, is actor Prithviraj Sukumaran’s third directorial and is produced by Sree Gokulam Movies, Lyca Productions, and Aashirvad Cinemas. It has been written by actor-writer Murali Gopy.
