Overview
Empuraan, the highly anticipated sequel to Lucifer, picks up with political upheaval in Kerala, where Chief Minister Jathin Ramdas (Tovino Thomas) forms a controversial new alliance, triggering resistance from his sister Priyadarshini (Manju Warrier). Amid the chaos, Stephen Nedumpally aka Khureshi Ab’raam (Mohanlal) returns to restore balance while facing a global threat in the form of the Kabooga cartel.
Mohanlal delivers a power-packed performance that elevates every scene he's in, despite limited screen time. Manju Warrier impresses in a strong, purposeful role, while Prithviraj Sukumaran offers a decent performance in a short appearance. Abhimanyu Singh, however, borders on theatrical excess.
Plot
The story begins with Kerala CM Jathin Ramdas (Tovino Thomas) breaking away from his party to form a new alliance with Baba Bajrangi (Abhimanyu Singh), sparking opposition from his sister, Priyadarshini (Manju Warrier). Meanwhile, Khureshi Ab’raam, aka Stephen Nedumpally (Mohanlal), returns to restore order while also facing global challenges and a clash with the deadly Kabooga cartel. How Stephen handles the political chaos forms the crux of the story.
Performances
Mohanlal is the heart and soul of the film and as expected, he delivered a top-notch performance. Though his role isn’t lengthy, he made it very impactful with his powerful screen presence. The simple yet meaningful dialogues written for his role and the way he delivered them worked a great deal in the favour of the film.
Manju Warrier shines in a well-defined role, with her screen presence adding intrigue. In Empuraan, she plays a meaningful character that leaves an impression. Prithviraj Sukumaran has limited screen time but does justice to his role. Abhimanyu Singh, however, tends to go over the top with his performance.
Technical Aspects
The production values are among the best in Malayalam cinema. Every penny spent is evident on screen, with grand visuals and stylish execution. However, the same cannot be said for the editing, as Empuraan runs for three hours—longer than necessary. The lengthy runtime occasionally tests the audience’s patience.
The Telugu dubbing is well done, and the dialogues are effective. However, the screenplay is only average, lacking the nuanced storytelling that made Lucifer so compelling. Deepak Dev’s background score feels a bit loud at times and lacks the impact expected. On the bright side, Sujith Vaassudev’s cinematography is outstanding and stands out as the film’s strongest technical aspect.
Positives:
High production values
Mohanlal’s screen presence
Lavish action sequences
Visuals
Negatives:
Slow-paced narration
Predictable storyline
Lack of solid drama
Analysis
Lucifer was a blockbuster, raising expectations for Empuraan. While the sequel looks visually superior, the writing falls short. Murali Gopy’s story is straightforward, and it’s evident that the makers aimed to capitalize on the sequel’s hype rather than focus on deep storytelling.
Bottom line: A Very ‘Unlike’ Malayalam Cinema
Rating: 2.5/5
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