Lucifer, the prequel of the planned trilogy, will be re-releasing in theatres on March 20.
L2: Empuraan, the highly-anticipated sequel of Mohanlal’s Lucifer, is all set to offer a surprise at the theatres on March 29. Ahead of the release, the makers have offered fans to relive the moments of the blockbuster Lucifer and to take a close look at the vibrance of the character Stephen Nedumpally aka Khureshi-Abr’aam.
Lucifer, the prequel of the planned trilogy, will be re-releasing in theatres tomorrow, March 20. If you are planning to revisit the tension-filled political world created by Prithviraj, here are some facts that make your trip to the theatres worth a watch.
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Lucifer
Justifying the title, the film compares Mohanlal’s character to the fallen angel, Lucifer. As a metaphorical representation, his character is initially introduced in a church with music and fog, denoting him as an angel or divine character. But later the plot reveals him to be a member of a larger syndicate, more in a grey shade, the full mystery that is yet to be unveiled in the upcoming sequel.
The ‘Unholy’ Trinity
Just like the scriptural context of the Bible, the character of Mohanlal was defined in three different spectra. In contrast with the context, the film defines the multiple phases and faces of Mohanlal’s character as an ‘unholy trinity’ through three different names: Stephen Nedumpally, Esthappan and Khureshi Abr’aam.
Stephen Nedumpally: The character is an orphan (invariably with enough hints about a noble lineage) who is adopted by a political titan and also has an unshakeable personality in the political dynamics.
Esthappan: This phase of the character was brought up and mentored by a kind-hearted priest who runs an orphanage (a cameo appearance by director Fazil).
Khureshi Abr’aam: This is a yet-to-be-unveiled and explored character, hinted at as a feared mafia of an underground syndicate.
The Portrayal of Esthapan as Messiah
Esthappan is represented as a kind messiah and as the one who is deeply connected to the people. There is a chorus of loyal cronies singing his praises, both openly and in hushed tones, cementing his legendary status.
The metaphor was elegantly portrayed in a scene when Stephen was arrested for a crime he did not commit. It reflects in the jail scene when the police officer says, “If you wish, you can go out before the morning.” He says, “No; it is my decision to come in here,” which subtly represents the description of how the Messiah was arrested in the scripture.
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The Mystery Created by the Writing
Notably, the protagonist was introduced to the audience without any flashbacks associated with it but through defined writing. Even though there were no descriptive flashbacks to introduce the life of Stephen Nedumpally, you know almost everything you need to know about the character by the end of the film. Moreover, the mystery created by the writer was perfectly conveyed through the eyes of Mohanlal.
Through the actions, mannerisms and information offered by the supporting characters, the significance of Stephen Nedumpally was masterfully featured through clean writing.
It is also remarkable that Prithviraj devotes barely an hour of screentime to Mohanlal’s character in a narrative spanning under three hours and yet conveys the undeniable aura of Stephen Nedumpally, making a lasting impact from his first appearance to the final scene.
Transition from Angel to the Devil
The character transition of Mohanlal from Stephen Nedumpally to Khureshi Abr’aam was reflected through his costumes in the film. His character was meticulously crafted as a divine one (Stephen) with traditional white attire, signifying purity, and the transition to the devil (Khureshi Abr’aam) was highlighted through the complete shift to a black suit.
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Tribute to the 80s’ Classic
In a pivotal confrontational scene in Lucifer, Stephen Nedumpally and Bobby (Viveik Oberoi) are facing each other, their disagreement centred on Bobby’s proposal to fund the party through smuggling lethal drugs.
With calm conviction, Stephen declares, as if sharing a personal creed with the audience, “Those who know me understand this very well about me. I have always said that narcotics is a dirty business.”
It’s a terrific nostalgia of the iconic line from Mohanlal’s 80s gangster drama, Irupatham Noottandu. The moment marks the first of many tributes paid by Prithviraj to Mohanlal’s stardom and the cinematic legacy of Shaji Kailas and Ranjith.
Watch the trailer here:
