Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan is making history. Yes, we mean that! The film is officially the first-ever Malayalam movie to release in IMAX, a truly ground-breaking moment for the industry. As the countdown to its March 27 premiere begins, the film has already shattered records in North America, setting the stage for a monumental global release.
IMAX release: A game-changer for Malayalam cinema
The announcement that L2: Empuraan will be available in IMAX is a major breakthrough for Malayalam cinema. Director Prithviraj Sukumaran confirmed the news, emphasizing that this move will bring an unparalleled cinematic experience to audiences worldwide. IMAX’s massive screens, superior sound quality, and immersive visuals will completely elevate the film’s action sequences and storytelling, setting a new benchmark for the industry.
Actor Tovino Thomas, who also stars in the film, shared his excitement on social media, stating, “It gives us immense pride to announce that L2: Empuraan will be the first-ever Malayalam film to release in IMAX. We hope this is the beginning of a long and illustrious association between IMAX and Malayalam Cinema.”
Record-breaking advance sales in North America
Beyond its historic IMAX release, L2: Empuraan is already rewriting box office records. The film has become the highest-grossing Malayalam premiere in North America, with advance ticket sales crossing $125,000. In the USA alone, it has earned around $32,000 from just nine locations across 26 shows, selling nearly 1,500 tickets. With more than a week left until its release, experts predict these numbers will continue to climb.
A blockbuster in the making
The excitement around L2: Empuraan is at an all-time high. As the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer, the first Malayalam film to cross Rs 200 crore worldwide, the stakes are massive. Industry predictions suggest an opening-day collection of at least Rs 40 crore globally, potentially setting new records for Malayalam cinema.
The global buzz was further amplified when hundreds of fans gathered at New York’s Times Square for the film’s teaser unveiling. Even superstar Rajinikanth, who got an exclusive first look at the trailer, showered it with praise, adding to the film’s growing hype.
Setting a new standard for Malayalam films globally
While Hindi and Telugu films have traditionally dominated international markets, L2: Empuraan is hopefully proving that Malayalam cinema is ready to take the global stage. Fingers crossed! The film’s IMAX release and record-breaking pre-sales indicate a shift in audience preferences, opening new doors for the industry.
To build excitement, the makers are also re-releasing Lucifer in theatres on March 20, allowing audiences to relive the first chapter before L2: Empuraan hits screens on March 27 in both standard and IMAX formats. As the release date approaches, all eyes are on the box office to see just how high this iconic sequel will soar.
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
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