"Empuraan Is Not A Sequel To Lucifer, But...": Murali Gopy At KLF.
In a riveting conversation with journalist Rekha Menon at the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF), Murali Gopy, the scriptwriter of the highly anticipated movie L2: Empuraan, spilt the beans about the film’s connection to its predecessor, Lucifer. He revealed that Empuraan is not a sequel to Lucifer, but rather the second instalment of a trilogy.
“Empuraan is part of a trilogy, a three-film franchise. It’s not a sequel to Lucifer, but a standalone second part. The trilogy will have a beginning, a middle, and an end, with each film connected to the others,” he said.
The forthcoming film stars Mohanlal in the lead role and has been making headlines for its ambitious scale and production values. It has gained momentum since actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran is directing it.
During the conversation, Murali Gopy also delved into the creative process behind Empuraan, talking about the importance of learning and growth as an artist. “As a creative person, you keep learning with each project,” he said. “The writing process is also a process of learning,” he added.
He has written the screenplay for Empuraan and also touched upon the film’s themes and characters in the discussion. When asked about the portrayal of female characters in the film, Murali Gopy highlighted the significance of strong, well-rounded female characters in contemporary cinema.
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When asked about the difference between inspiration and copying, Murali Gopy’s response struck a chord with the audience. “Copying is copying, and inspiration is being inspired… It is what it is.”
The conversation also veered into the realm of politics and social commentary with both the speakers discussing the cultural phenomena and political drama that inform the narrative of Empuraan. “When you write a serious film, you have to be mindful of the cultural and social context,” he said.
Rekha Menon also asked about remaking classic Malayalam movies. His response was unequivocal. “It’s better not to touch classics. A classic is always a classic,” he said.
As the conversation drew to a close, Murali Gopy reflected on the experience of working on Empuraan stressing the importance of collaboration and creative freedom.
“As a director, you have to be open to new ideas and perspectives,” he said. “The creative process is a journey, not a destination,” he added.
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A teaser of the movie L2: Empuraan was released on Sunday in a grand launch event held in Kochi and was attended by a plethora of Malayalam actors, including Mammooty.
Followed by the blockbuster success of the 2019 film, Lucifer, L2: Empuraan was announced in October 2023. Exploring politics, crime, and power dynamics, the film was shot in about 20 foreign countries, including the UK, the US, and Russia. The production of the film was wrapped in December last year.
The second instalment of the planned trilogy boasts a stellar cast with actors Mohanlal, Tovino Thomas, Manju Warrier, Shashi Kapoor, Indrajith, Baiju Santosh, Prithviraj, and Saniya Iyyappan. One of the most anticipated films, L2: Empuraan, is set to hit theatres on March 27, 2025.
