Mohanlal’s latest big-budget movie Empuraan was released yesterday. So far, the movie has received mixed reviews. However, the most significant consequence of its release has been the intense online battles between those who support the film and those who oppose it.
Before proceeding further, let me clarify that I have not watched the movie, and this write-up is not intended to be a review.
I have been a Mohanlal fan since childhood and had been eagerly awaiting the film’s release on March 27th. However, I was aware that the movie was directed by Prithviraj, someone I am not particularly fond of. Prithviraj is one of the leading Malayalam stars of the current generation.
So why am I not his fan? Primarily because of the propaganda he has engaged in against the central government and Hindu Dharma. He was one of the key figures behind the Save Lakshadweep campaign (please see the image), which sought to oppose the progressive measures introduced by the central government to modernize the islands, portraying them in a communal light.
He was also very vocal during the CAA agitation, urging those opposed to the CAA to ‘rise.’
However, he remains mysteriously silent when it comes to local issues, such as the Munambam case, where hundreds of Christian families face eviction by the WAQF Board. He speaks out about the CAA but does not address Hindu persecution in Bangladesh.
Regardless, I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and was eagerly awaiting the release of Empuraan. However, within a few hours, my anticipation turned into a rude shock upon seeing the comments and reviews about the movie.
The Day My Heart Broke at the Theater: X User Writes
An X user, Abhijit Radhakrishnan, writes how his heart broke at the theater. He describes how he was distressed after watching the movie on its opening day when he realized it was a hardcore anti-Hindu propaganda film.
He says that the movie begins with the 2002 Gujarat riots. He then describes how the film depicts Hindu men raping Muslim women who had taken refuge in their home. He further writes: “As the film progresses, the attack isn’t just on individuals, it’s on ideals. A major political party merging with a pro-Hindu one is depicted as a catastrophe a threat to Kerala’s culture and ethos.”
The most amusing part of his post is when he talks about the villain from the pro-Hindu party at the center declaring that Kerala’s 600 km coastline could be used for smuggling drugs and psychotropic substances. If you are familiar with Kerala’s affairs, you’ll understand why I find this amusing. And if you are not, please see the image below.
Kerala has a serious drug problem. The state has been ruled by the Communists for nearly a decade. The pro-Hindu party at the center does not hold a single seat in the state assembly. So why would the movie’s director attempt to pin the responsibility for this on the pro-Hindu party ruling at the center? Well, isn’t that what we call propaganda?
This is a classic example of constructing a false narrative. However, this shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that the director himself is a leftist, as evident from his social media posts reproduced above.
Social Media Users React
This is the translation of a viral post (please see the image) circulating in Malayalam social media circles:
- Empuraan is a useless movie.
- The film has a clear Muslim appeasement agenda.
- Mohanlal shows absolutely no expression on his face, though his beard helps cover it up to some extent.
- Director Prithviraj has undermined Tovino’s advantage in terms of body style and looks.
- The songs are filled with communal propaganda aimed at pleasing certain groups.
- In the final scene, where Prithviraj kills the villain, he wears a Pakistani Pathan costume, giving the moment a distinctly Muslim angle.
- The movie’s political narrative is clearly designed to support the Congress and oppose Hindutva.
- The film deliberately promotes a North vs. South cultural “clash” as part of its agenda.
- The movie copies a scene from another film, ‘Jojiyude Pani.‘
- It lacks the quality to compete with any of the recent successful Malayalam films from Fahadh Faasil, Joji, or Basil.
- Aside from a few scenes shot abroad, there is nothing worth watching in the movie
Another right-wing account by the name Lasitha Palakkal wrote (translated from Mayalam to English):
“Hey Rajappa, a running train did not catch fire on its own in Godhra. It was set on fire by a group wearing turbans. Those who burned and died in it were our brothers and sisters. Yet, you chose to whitewash those Jihadis through your movie, Empuraan.
To humiliate Mohanlal, you gave him only a few scenes and five dialogues. I think what people are saying is true—that the rest of the movie is filled with Rajappan’s ‘gimmicks.’”
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16GTvNJDeX
Yuvraj Gokul, a popular right-wing activist, wrote (translated from Malayalam to English):
“I haven’t seen Empuraan. I ended up canceling my ticket. As far as I know, the villains in the movie are the Home Minister, the Intelligence Bureau, etc. Meanwhile, Lashkar-e-Taiba is portrayed as the hero.“
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19C5gq9649
He concludes his post by apologizing for previously sharing the movie poster on his social media page.
In the meantime, leftists are celebrating the movie. This is what Bineesh Kodiyeri, son of former Kerala minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, wrote (translated from Malayalam to English):
“In today’s India, if a movie openly states that the Sangh Parivar is ruling the country by creating communal riots in Gujarat, and if it boldly portrays the Home Minister involved as the one controlling everything, it takes real guts. My greetings to everyone who worked on the film.“
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1WhUiVhTby
How is the movie performing?
Empuraan is said to have been made on a budget of INR 180 crores—an unprecedented figure for a Malayalam film.
Given the backlash it has faced since yesterday, it is unclear whether the movie will break even. Social media is flooded with posts from people canceling their tickets.
There are also reports that the first-day box office collection figures are overstated and that, on its second day, the movie is only partially filling theaters.
Should You Watch the Movie?
The film portrays what happened to one community during the Gujarat riots while conveniently ignoring the events that preceded it in Godhra. Since the movie is not about the Gujarat riots, one might choose to dismiss this as artistic freedom.
However, the main villain in the movie is referred to as Bajrangi, an obvious reference to Bajrangbali, another name for Sri Hanuman, the greatest devotee of Shri Ram. This character is depicted as the central Home Minister. Do you think these are mere coincidences?
If you have read this far, I am sure you are convinced that this is a propaganda film—one that seeks to appease a certain section of the population while openly promoting bias and resentment against another, simply because they form the majority. A majority that has peacefully tolerated everything, allowing other communities to thrive in Bharat.
Should you watch the movie? You are the best judge of that. But before making that decision, ask yourself:
Why should you spend your money on something—or someone—who is biased against you and your culture? Why should you invest your hard-earned money in those who are working against the future generations of your community?
As I mentioned at the beginning, I have not watched the movie despite being a hardcore Mohanlal fan. And I certainly do not intend to!
