Controversy turns ‘Empuraan’ into a money machine! Fans rush to watch the original version before cuts

The theatrical run of ‘L2: Empuraan’ has taken an unexpected turn as reports of certain scenes being edited have only intensified audience demand for the film in its original form.Controversy worked in favorThe controversy surrounding the movie has seemingly worked in its favor, as eager fans are flocking to theaters to experience the unaltered version before potential changes are implemented.Mohanlal’s highly anticipated action thriller, which hit screens on March 27, has played a crucial role in revitalizing Kerala’s struggling theater industry. The film has seen record-breaking footfall, with over 750 screens running houseful shows across the state. Several theaters have even hosted 24-hour screenings to accommodate the soaring demand.Fastest 50 crore in Kerala box officePrithviraj Sukumaran took to his Facebook handle to share the box office update and penned a note that read, “#L continues his rampage. #L2E #Empuraan just set Kerala's box office on FIRE! Fastest 50 crore in Kerala box office in less than 5 days.”“Expectations were high ever since the film was announced, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Theatres across the state have been running at full capacity for the past four days,” said Liberty Basheer, a prominent theater owner, to The Indian Express.The movie’s staggering box office performance has also set new records. According to the reports, Empuraan is the first Malayalam film to enter the Rs 100-crore club within just 48 hours of its release. Overseas collections have also been remarkable, making it the highest-grossing Malayalam film internationally.Cuts in the filmAccording to Mathrubhumi, following a detailed review, the Central Censor Board initially recommended cutting around 20 minutes from the first half of the film. However, after further discussions, the final edits resulted in the removal of approximately three minutes. Additionally, the villain's name, Bajrangi, will either be altered or muted in relevant scenes. Controversial riot and rape sequences, which had sparked significant debate, will also be removed from the film.