Anupama Chopra dissects Empuraan, the sequel to the 2019 hit Lucifer, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and written by Murali Gopy. She applauds its audacious scale, blending Kerala politics with global espionage, drug cartels, and religious extremism. The film positions itself as a commentary on secularism, echoing Stephen Nedumpally’s (Mohanlal) iconic line: “The battle is not between good and evil, but evil and evil.” Anupama praises the globe-trotting narrative—spanning Iraq, London, Yemen, and Kerala—and its sleek technical craft, including Sujit Vasudev’s cinematography and Prithviraj’s flair for mythologizing Mohanlal through slow-motion heroics and leather-clad gravitas. However, she critiques the 3-hour runtime, noting a stretched second half with overcooked action and underdeveloped arcs for characters like Jathin Ramdas (Tovino Thomas) and Govardhan (Indrajith Sukumaran).
While acknowledging Empuraan’s ambition, Chopra highlights narrative absurdities—like delayed police interventions reminiscent of 1970s cinema—and a convoluted screenplay that sacrifices emotional depth for spectacle. Yet, she credits the film for expanding Malayalam cinema’s boundaries, particularly in its climactic duel between Stephen and Zayed Masood (Prithviraj). Despite flaws, Chopra views Empuraan as a daring setup for L3, which promises to explore Stephen’s origins. Mohanlal’s magnetic presence and the film’s bold strokes, she argues, make it a flawed but thrilling chapter in this franchise.
