Prithviraj and Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan becomes 3rd highest-grossing Malayalam film in India, beating Fahadh Fasil’s Aavesham’ and Prithviraj’s The Goat Life
L2: Empuraan Becomes Third-Highest-Grossing Malayalam Film in India, Surpasses Aavesham and The Goat Life
In a monumental achievement for Malayalam cinema, L2: Empuraan, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and starring the legendary Mohanlal, has climbed the box office ranks to become the third highest-grossing Malayalam film in India. This cinematic milestone sees L2: Empuraan overtaking recent hits such as Fahadh Faasil’s Aavesham and Prithviraj’s ambitious project, The Goat Life (Aadujeevitham), solidifying its place among the titans of Malayalam cinema.
The Rise of Empuraan
Released in early 2025, L2: Empuraan is the much-anticipated sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer, which also marked Prithviraj’s directorial debut. The original film laid the foundation for a political thriller universe centered around the enigmatic character Stephen Nedumpally, portrayed with gravitas by Mohanlal. With Lucifer establishing itself as a massive success, expectations were sky-high for its sequel, and Empuraan did not disappoint.
With grander visuals, a deeper narrative, and a more expansive storyline, Empuraan has not only lived up to the hype but has also redefined the scale and scope of Malayalam films. Its box office success reflects a carefully orchestrated blend of star power, direction, production quality, and storytelling that resonated strongly with both Malayali audiences and the wider Indian cinema-going public.
Box Office Performance
As of April 2025, L2: Empuraan has officially become the third highest-grossing Malayalam film in India. While exact numbers continue to roll in, it has already crossed major benchmarks set by its contemporaries and predecessors. The film’s domestic collection has reportedly surpassed ₹120 crore, making it one of the fastest Malayalam films to reach that figure.
What makes this feat even more impressive is the stiff competition it faced in the form of Aavesham and The Goat Life—both critical and commercial hits in their own right.
Aavesham: A Box Office Trailblazer
Fahadh Faasil’s Aavesham, released in April 2024, quickly became one of the most talked-about Malayalam films of the year. It marked a stylistic shift in Fahadh’s career, showcasing his versatility in a mass-action avatar that captivated audiences. The film raked in approximately ₹100.60 crore from India alone, with ₹75.25 crore coming just from Kerala. Globally, it grossed nearly ₹154.60 crore, making it the third Malayalam film ever to enter the ₹100 crore club domestically.
Aavesham was celebrated not just for its box office success but also for its bold storytelling and stylish direction. Its success indicated that Malayalam cinema was ready to explore larger-than-life storytelling while staying grounded in compelling narratives.
The Goat Life: A Visual Masterpiece
Prithviraj’s The Goat Life (Aadujeevitham) was another significant release that pushed the boundaries of Malayalam filmmaking. Based on Benyamin’s bestselling novel, the film was a survival drama shot across harsh desert landscapes, requiring years of planning, location scouting, and physical transformation from the actor-director himself.
While exact box office numbers are less detailed, the film was a commercial success and earned widespread critical acclaim for its technical brilliance, emotional depth, and powerful performance by Prithviraj. Its success underscored the audience’s growing appetite for experimental and emotionally resonant narratives, making it a milestone in Prithviraj’s career and in Malayalam cinema.
Empuraan’s Edge
Despite the impressive performance of Aavesham and The Goat Life, Empuraan managed to edge past both with a potent mix of political intrigue, star power, and scale. Mohanlal’s enduring appeal played a central role, drawing audiences from across demographics. Moreover, the film’s intricate plotlines, international locations, and sleek cinematography elevated it to a cinematic experience on par with pan-Indian blockbusters.
The film’s success also benefitted from aggressive marketing, early fan engagement, and the anticipation built over six years since Lucifer. The sequel tapped into a loyal fan base while drawing in new viewers curious to explore the saga of Stephen Nedumpally, who is rumored to evolve into the enigmatic crime lord “Khurais.”
The Top Three Malayalam Films in India
With Empuraan now officially in the top three, the current list of the highest-grossing Malayalam films in India stands as follows:
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2018 (2023) – A disaster drama based on the Kerala floods, this film was both critically and commercially acclaimed, earning the title of the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time in India.
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Manjummel Boys (2024) – A survival thriller inspired by true events, Manjummel Boys became a sleeper hit, praised for its gripping narrative and emotional resonance.
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L2: Empuraan (2025) – A high-octane political thriller that blended action, suspense, and character-driven storytelling.
This list is a testament to the diversity and strength of Malayalam cinema. From real-life disasters to emotionally charged survival tales and large-scale political dramas, the industry is thriving across genres.
A Landmark for Malayalam Cinema
Empuraan’s success is more than just a box office achievement—it’s a cultural moment. It signifies Malayalam cinema’s evolution from regional storytelling to nationally relevant narratives, capable of holding their own against the might of Bollywood, Tollywood, and other major film industries in India.
Moreover, it sets a new benchmark for production quality and cinematic ambition within the Malayalam film space. With Empuraan, Prithviraj and Mohanlal have proven that Malayalam cinema can deliver both commercial success and cinematic excellence on a national scale.
What’s Next?
As fans celebrate this achievement, anticipation now shifts to L3, the rumored third installment in the Lucifer saga. If Empuraan is any indication, the concluding chapter promises to be an even grander spectacle.
For now, though, L2: Empuraan stands tall—a film that entertained and reshaped expectations for what Malayalam cinema can achieve. It’s a proud moment for the industry, and one that reaffirms the creative renaissance currently unfolding in Kerala’s film scene.
