Mohanlal’s Empuraan, the anticipated sequel to blockbluster Lucifer, stormed into the box office to become the history-making entry for Malayalam cinema. Inspite of dealing with its dose of criticism as well as controversies, Empuraan has already become the officially certified entry of the record book to be the very first ever Malayalam entry to garner the 100 crore share and leave the all-time gross of Manjummel Boys behind.
Releasing with sky-high expectations, Empuraan had a lot to live up to. As the sequel to cult political thriller Lucifer, helmed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, fans and critics alike were looking forward to witnessing the continuation of Stephen Nedumpally’s journey. Although the film released to huge crowds and fanfare, the initial critical response was not all that positive. Critics identified narrative loopholes, over-the-top scenes, and an inability to appeal universally, particularly for non-Malayalam-speaking audiences.
However, Empuraan overcame the controversies — courtesy Mohanlal’s unshakeable charisma, the committed fan following, and a narrative that spoke to Malayali audiences on a deep level.
Controversies Couldn’t Stop Empuraan’s Meteoric Ascend
The movie was not without controversy. Since the day of its release, Empuraan had been targeted for criticism by some over particular scenes that were seen as politically sensitive and even allegedly disrespectful to a section of the audience. Social media witnessed varied opinions — while some appreciated the film as a bold and trendy political action thriller, others raised questions over the intention behind certain sequences and the cohesiveness of the screenplay.
But controversy only appeared to create more interest in the movie. People thronged theatres looking for what all the fuss was about. Word-of-mouth among Malayali communities proved to be the film’s greatest strength. In spite of negative reviews from other linguistic territories, the home audience supported the film unquestioningly, pushing it into record-breaking figures both in Kerala and other foreign markets.
Empuraan Makes History with 100 Crore Share
For the first time in Mollywood history, a movie has garnered more than 100 crore share — an industry record never reached before in the Malayalam cinema industry. This feat places Empuraan in the exclusive club of Indian cinema’s highest-grossing regional films, standing shoulder to shoulder with:
- Dangal in Bollywood
- Baahubali 2 in Tollywood
- 2.0 in Kollywood
- KGF 2 in Sandalwood
Now, Empuraan is the proud representative of Mollywood in this illustrious list of industry grossers.
The theatrical run of the film has witnessed an unprecedented long first weekend and a healthy hold during weekdays, which testifies that despite initial doubts, it did possess the legs to go.
Empuraan Beats Manjummel Boys’ Gross – Next Stop: 300 Crores
Earlier, Manjummel Boys was basked in glory for crossing ₹240 crore, a landmark figure in Malayalam cinema. But Empuraan has finally gone past that figure and has now claimed the title of Mollywood’s top grosser.
What is more remarkable is that the film is not yet slowing down. With a robust second weekend on the anvil, trade experts believe that Empuraan may soon become the first Malayalam film to cross the ₹300 crore gross barrier — something unimaginable for the industry till now.
The international market has also contributed heavily to this success. From the Gulf nations to the US, UK, and Australia, Mohanlal’s pan-Indian popularity and the Lucifer heritage enabled Empuraan to draw impressive numbers abroad.
Mohanlal’s Star Power Proves Unshakable
At the center of Empuraan’s success lies Mohanlal himself. Even at this point in his career, the actor still draws giant crowds and fronts record-breaking movies. His turn as Stephen Nedumpally once again solidifies his position as one of India’s best and most reliable stars.
The controversies, though distracting, could not overshadow the power of his performance or his rapport with the Malayali audience. His gravitas, layered performance, and stylish presence lent the film the edge it needed to sustain attention even when the screenplay let it down.
Director Prithviraj Sukumaran, also, must be given credit for the brave attempt and his vision of making Lucifer a saga which could match any pan-Indian franchise. With some creative missteps, though, Empuraan has obviously hit gold in terms of business.
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Final Words: A Controversial Masterstroke that Created History
Empuraan perhaps isn’t a flawless movie — its weaknesses are apparent, and it didn’t resonate with all. But it stands as proof of the potency of solid local content, star power, and the unbreakable devotion of a regional market.
Ultimately, Empuraan was no longer a film. It had become a phenomenon, demonstrating the potential of Malayalam cinema to dream big, break boundaries, and yet be successful at the box office. Controversy and mixed receptions notwithstanding, Mohanlal’s magnum opus is today the pride of Mollywood and a standard that future films aim to meet.
If the present momentum is sustained, Empuraan could very well find itself into the annals of history again — this time as Mollywood’s maiden ₹300 crore grosser. And that, against all odds, is a triumph worth basking in.
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