Mohanlal Apologizes for Riot References in Empuraan

Mohanlal, the renowned Malayalam actor, has issued an apology for the riot references in his film L2: Empuraan. The movie has been embroiled in controversy for alluding to the 2002 Gujarat riots, causing distress to many viewers. Mohanlal took to social media to release a statement, acknowledging the harm caused by the film's themes and expressing his sincere apologies. He emphasized that as an artist, it is his duty to ensure that his films do not offend any political movement, ideology, or religious sect.

Mohanlal's apology comes after the film's producer, Gokulam Gopalan, announced that the production team had decided to make 17 cuts in the movie, including scenes depicting violence against women and riots. The name of the antagonist, Baba Bajrangi, will also be changed, and certain dialogues will be muted. The film's director, Prithviraj Sukumaran, shared Mohanlal's Facebook post, showing his support for the actor's apology.

The controversy surrounding Empuraan has sparked a debate about freedom of expression in the film industry. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently attended a screening of the film and expressed his support for the Empuraan team, stating that freedom of expression must be protected at all costs. He emphasized that in a democratic society, the freedom of expression of a citizen must be protected, and violent calls to destroy and ban artwork and artists are a violation of democratic rights.

Empuraan, which released in cinemas on March 27, stars Mohanlal, Prithviraj, Abhimanyu Singh, and Manju Warrier. The film has been making headlines for its controversial themes, but Mohanlal's apology has been seen as a step in the right direction. The film's team has decided to remove the offending themes, and the new version will release in theaters next week.