‘L2: Empuraan’ Triggers Fresh Row Over Mullaperiyar Dam Issue Amid Right-Wing Protests; MP Vaiko Calls For Ban
L2: Empuraan, which initially faced criticism in the RSS-affiliated publication Organiser, has now come under fire for allegedly portraying Mullaperiyar Dam as unsafe.
Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s latest film, 'L2: Empuraan', continues to stir controversy even after undergoing significant re-editing following backlash from right-wing groups. The film, which initially faced criticism in the RSS-affiliated publication Organiser, has now come under fire for allegedly portraying the Mullaperiyar Dam as unsafe and promoting fear among the people of Kerala.
Mullaperiyar Dam Issue: Vaiko Calls For Ban
MDMK General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko has called for a complete ban on the film in Tamil Nadu, citing concerns over a scene that references a dam in “Nedumpally.” In his statement, he pointed to a dialogue suggesting that the Travancore king was coerced into leasing the land for 999 years and that, despite the British and monarchy no longer being present, the dam remains a looming threat, as per a report on IANS.
Vaiko also took issue with another controversial line in the film that allegedly implies the dam should be bombed, stating, "If we bomb the dam, which drowns people even when just two shutters are opened, the entire state of Kerala will be destroyed." He further accused the filmmakers of attempting to instill unnecessary fear among the public and undermine confidence in the safety of major checkdams.
The Supreme Court-appointed expert committee has previously affirmed the Mullaperiyar Dam’s safety, a point that Vaiko stressed while demanding that all contentious scenes and dialogues be removed.
Meanwhile, several other organisations including Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi have been staging a protest in this regard against the depiction, as per reports.
This fresh controversy follows an extensive re-edit of the film, with 24 cuts made after its release on March 27, 2025. The modifications, totaling 2.08 minutes, were implemented after sustained criticism. The newly certified version is set for release in theatres from April 2.
Among the most notable changes, the antagonist’s name, initially Baba Bajrangi—seemingly referencing Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi, convicted for the 2002 Naroda Patiya massacre—has been altered to Baldev. Additionally, a display card reading “India 2002” has been modified to “a few years ago.” Several riot-related visuals, including those depicting violence near religious sites, against women, and images of deceased victims, have been removed.
Top Headlines
