Empuraan will be helmed by Prithviraj.The sequel to blockbuster Lucifer was announced on Tuesday. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, actor-director Prithviraj, writer Murali Gopy and producer Antony Perumbavoor were present at the media briefing.
The sequel has been titled Empuraan. “It means more than a king and less than a God,” said Prithviraj, while explaining the meaning of the film’s title. “The literal meaning will be overlord.’
There is a sentimental reason why the filmmakers decided to hold the press conference at Mohanlal’s residence in Kochi. It was there two years ago that the official announcement of Lucifer took place and the film went on to rewrite box office records of Malayalam cinema when it released earlier this year. “We made the announcement of Lucifer at this very place. And we thought this place will be a good omen for the sequel too,” Mohanlal said.
“Empuraan will be both prequel and sequel to Lucifer,” Mohanlal added.
#L2 #EMPURAAN
More than a King..less than a God!
Coming…SOON ENOUGH!Watch – https://t.co/kypatEWyyr@PrithviOfficial @Mohanlal @muraligopy @Poffactio pic.twitter.com/INOXf8DXaw
— POFFACTIO ™ (@Poffactio) June 18, 2019
The filmmakers also released a clip from Lucifer, where Mohanlal’s true identity as Khureshi Ab’raam is revealed. It was the climax scene of Lucifer and seems like a seed for the sequel.
#L2 #EMPURAAN
More than a King..less than a God!
Coming…SOON ENOUGH!@PrithviOfficial @Mohanlal @muraligopy @Poffactio pic.twitter.com/UmL7p7f7oK— POFFACTIO ™ (@Poffactio) June 18, 2019
Prithviraj recalled that when the project was initially envisioned in 2016, spending a budget of Rs 30 crore for making a Malayalam film was a huge risk. However, the filmmakers relied on Mohanlal’s stardom to recapture the investment.
Prithviraj claimed that Lucifer has expanded the market for films from the Malayalam film industry. He noted that the film also made record money from sales of its digital and satellite rights. “This project only became possible because of the amount of appreciation the audience gave to Lucifer,” Prithviraj said while thanking the audience and the media for making the film a huge hit at the box office.
According to the filmmakers, Lucifer raked in more than Rs 200 crore from its worldwide ticket sales. It is the first Malayalam film to achieve such a massive feat. “We will try to push the commercial boundaries for Malayalam cinema with Empuraan,” Prithviraj said.
The shooting of Empuraan will only begin in the second half of 2020 as Mohanlal and Prithviraj are currently busy with their respective projects. Empuraan will only go on the floors after Mohanlal finishes shooting his directorial debut, Barroz – Guardian of D’Gama’s Treasure, which will be made in 3D format.
Read the news in Malayalam
Like Lucifer, Kerala will provide the main backdrop for Empuraan too. The filmmakers are currently in the process of finalising the cast and crew.
