The much-awaited sequel starring Mohanlal and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, L2: Empuraan, has reached a remarkable box office milestone in India. Over its extended eight-day opening weekend, the film collected a domestic net total of ₹88.26 crore, solidifying its status as the third highest-earning Malayalam film in India. This accomplishment allowed the film to overtake recent popular releases, including Fahadh Faasil’s Aavesham, which earned ₹85.15 crore, and Prithviraj’s own The Goat Life, which made ₹85 crore.
As a direct continuation of the 2019 hit Lucifer, L2: Empuraan brings together once again the powerful pairing of actor Mohanlal and actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran. The collaboration between these two film industry heavyweights has proved to be a successful formula, evident in the film’s impressive opening numbers and strong box office presence in the following days.
The film had an extraordinary opening day, collecting ₹21 crore in total. This surge was largely powered by Kerala, which alone brought in ₹18.6 crore from the Malayalam version. The film experienced the typical dip on the second day, bringing in ₹11.1 crore, but managed to regain momentum over the weekend. Saturday saw collections rise to ₹13.25 crore, while Sunday brought in ₹13.65 crore, showing that audience interest remained strong during the initial stretch.
During the weekdays that followed, the movie’s earnings remained stable, helping the total first-week domestic collection climb past ₹88 crore. Though mid-week figures saw a slight dip, the film remained firmly rooted in its core Malayalam-speaking markets. The dubbed versions in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada contributed to the earnings, but these figures were relatively modest. The majority of the revenue stemmed from the original Malayalam release, indicating the film’s significant pull within its primary audience.
With its current total, L2: Empuraan now ranks just below 2018, starring Tovino Thomas, which earned ₹92.5 crore, and the record-smashing Manjummel Boys, directed by Chidambaram S. Poduva, which has a domestic haul of ₹141.61 crore. These two films still hold the top positions in terms of all-time highest-grossing Malayalam films within India.
To provide context, 2018 is a survival drama that deeply resonated with viewers due to its powerful depiction of the Kerala floods and their emotional aftermath. The film’s connection to a real-life event helped it make a strong impact on audiences. In contrast, Manjummel Boys is an adventure-thriller that tells the story of a group of friends, one of whom falls into the treacherous Guna Caves. The film chronicles their intense and emotional effort to save him, exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage. It struck a chord with viewers through its compelling portrayal of human endurance and unity.
Although L2: Empuraan has not yet overtaken these two titles, it has managed to carve out its own significant place in Malayalam cinema history. Moreover, the film is not just a sequel but a critical piece in a larger cinematic world that the filmmakers are building. It has laid the foundation for an expanded storyline that is expected to continue in a third installment. Fans are already speculating and expressing excitement over how the narrative will develop in the next chapter.
Adding to the anticipation for the third film in the series, it has been revealed that Mohanlal’s son, Pranav Mohanlal, will portray a younger version of Stephen Nedumpally, the character played by Mohanlal. This development has generated a great deal of buzz, as fans are eager to see how the character’s origin and backstory will be explored through the younger actor’s performance.
Despite the competition and the dominance of earlier blockbusters, L2: Empuraan has shown the strength and consistency needed to make a mark at the box office. As the days progress and positive word-of-mouth continues to spread, the film is expected to inch closer to 2018’s record. While it may not yet be able to challenge the massive numbers posted by Manjummel Boys, there is a growing belief that L2: Empuraan still has room to grow.
The buzz around the movie and the strength of its storytelling, performances, and direction are helping to maintain its momentum. The fan base that had been waiting eagerly for the sequel to Lucifer has shown up in large numbers, and their enthusiasm is translating into strong ticket sales, especially in Kerala. The Malayalam version continues to dominate the earnings, reflecting the depth of engagement from the core audience.
In terms of its role in Malayalam cinema, L2: Empuraan is being recognized not just as a commercial hit but as an ambitious step forward in narrative building. The film is playing a crucial role in shaping a cinematic universe that brings together action, drama, political intrigue, and complex character arcs. This is seen as a relatively new direction for the Malayalam film industry, which has traditionally been known for its content-driven and realistic storytelling. With Empuraan, the scope is becoming larger and more interconnected.
At this point, it is difficult to predict whether the film will be able to surpass 2018, but the outlook remains positive. Given the continuing box office support, and the solid groundwork laid for further installments, L2: Empuraan has the potential to end its run with numbers that place it firmly among the top Malayalam films of all time.
The impact of Mohanlal and Prithviraj’s collaboration continues to grow. Their on-screen and behind-the-scenes chemistry has resulted in a project that has captivated audiences and demonstrated the commercial viability of ambitious Malayalam-language films. As more days unfold and as audience interest remains strong, industry watchers will be closely monitoring whether Empuraan can climb even higher in the box office rankings.
The current success of the film proves the appetite for high-concept sequels and complex storytelling within the Malayalam-speaking audience and beyond. While the dubbed versions contributed modestly, it’s the film’s Malayalam roots and the strength of its original narrative that are driving its performance.
With Mohanlal’s return as Stephen Nedumpally, Prithviraj’s direction and presence, and Pranav Mohanlal’s inclusion in the future narrative, the film is setting the stage for even more impactful storytelling. The journey of Empuraan is far from over, and its path forward promises to be as exciting and unpredictable as the story it tells.
“Even as the collections tapered mid-week, the film held strong in its core Malayalam market,” one report noted, underscoring how the foundation of its success lies in its home base. With “more days to go and positive word-of-mouth continuing,” the film’s prospects remain bright. Though “Manjummel Boys’ staggering numbers remain untouched—for now,” L2: Empuraan is undeniably a force to reckon with in the evolving landscape of Malayalam cinema.