Union Minister and actor Suresh Gopi’s name has been removed from the credits of L2: Empuraan following a fresh round of voluntary cuts to the Mohanlal-led blockbuster. The re-edited version, approved by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), also omits IRS officer Jyothis Mohan from the film’s acknowledgments.
The March 27 release has faced scrutiny over politically sensitive references, leading to 24 edits amounting to 2 minutes and 8 seconds. Among the most significant changes: the antagonist’s name was altered from Balraj — widely speculated to allude to Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi — to Baldev.
A timeline card reading “India 2002” was softened to the vague “a few years ago.” Additionally, certain dialogues have been muted, and intense sequences trimmed.
While no official explanation has been provided for Gopi’s removal, the decision aligns with the broader changes addressing political sensitivities, though producer Anthony Perumbavoor maintains the edits were not politically motivated.
Despite the controversy, L2: Empuraan continues to dominate the box office, surpassing ₹200 crore globally by March 31. The original cut remains available internationally, while its OTT release is expected to reflect the revised version.
Meanwhile, the franchise’s next instalment, L3: The Beginning, remains on track, with Antony Perumbavoor assuring fans that development is underway.
