Director Prithviraj Sukumaran has been asked to make edits to his latest film, L2: Empuraan, following claims that certain scenes and dialogues hurt public sentiments. Producer Gokulam Gopalan confirmed that adjustments are being made to address concerns raised by some viewers.
Speaking to Manorama Online, Gopalan explained, "If any scenes or dialogues in Empuraan have offended people, I have told Prithviraj to make necessary changes." Some words have already been muted, and additional modifications are planned. The decision comes after protests over certain elements in the film, despite it having cleared the censorship process without issues.
The film, a sequel to Lucifer, touches upon politically sensitive topics, including a depiction of the 2002 Gujarat riots. It also critiques the alleged misuse of central agencies by the ruling government. This has led to a divided response, with right-wing groups criticising the film, while Congress and Left supporters have defended it.
Kerala Congress’s social media team stated that the movie exposes what they call a larger agenda of dividing the state and taking control of key strategic locations. However, BJP state secretary S. Suresh distanced the party from the controversy, saying, "The Kerala BJP won’t interfere. Moviegoers have the freedom to watch, support, or criticise the film."
The backlash has prompted the filmmakers to make significant edits. According to the latest updates, 17 parts of the movie will be altered. This includes muting controversial opinions, cutting certain violent scenes, and changing the villain’s name. A special panel has been set up at Chitranjali Studio to oversee the re-censoring process, replacing the original censorship panel. The revised version of the movie is expected to be ready by Monday.
Producer Gopalan acknowledged the challenges of making these changes. "With the film playing in 4,000 cinemas, modifying scenes will be a costly process around ₹40 lakh (£38,000) at least," he estimated. However, he emphasised that the team wants to ensure the film does not offend anyone.
Despite the controversy,Empuraan continues to perform well at the box office. The film had a record-breaking opening, collecting ₹£2.3 million (₹24.50 crore) in India and £6.3 million (₹67 crore) worldwide on its first day. Within two days, it crossed £9.5 million (₹100 crore), setting a new benchmark for Malayalam cinema.
As the debate around Empuraan continues, the filmmakers remain focused on delivering a version that balances creative vision with audience sensitivities. The re-censored version, featuring 17 edits including muted opinions, cut violent scenes, and changes to the villain’s name will release in theatres by Monday.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.