Empuraan controversy fall out? India's ED raids producer Gokulam Gopalan’s offices in Chennai and Kerala

In a development that has sparked intense speculation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday raided multiple offices and premises linked to businessman and film producer Gokulam Gopalan across Tamil Nadu and Kerala. According to a report in The News Minute, the probe pertains to alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) worth over Rs10billion, linked to his financial firm Sree Gokulam Chit and Finance Company.

While the ED insists the raids are part of a routine financial investigation, the timing is hard to overlook. Gopalan is one of the key producers of L2: Empuraan—the high-profile sequel to Lucifer, starring Mohanlal and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film, still in production, has already drawn fire from right-wing groups who claim it promotes anti-Hindu narratives and historical revisionism.

Why this matters

L2: Empuraan is more than just a commercial sequel; it’s a politically charged film that touches on sensitive themes, including power, religion, and statecraft. Its predecessor, Lucifer, was a blockbuster that mixed mass entertainment with a stylised critique of politics and power, and its follow-up is expected to go even deeper.

Recently, the buzz around Empuraan intensified after leaks and discussions online suggested the film might take jabs at majoritarian politics. Fringe outfits and social media influencers began calling for a boycott, accusing the film of "hurting Hindu sentiments"—a phrase increasingly weaponised in India's cultural discourse.

In that context, the ED raids have raised questions in film and political circles alike. Is this standard regulatory procedure? Or is this an indirect message to filmmakers who dare to challenge dominant ideologies?

The creative space in India is increasingly under scrutiny. Filmmakers, artists, and writers working on sensitive or critical themes have found themselves facing legal action, tax probes, or online abuse. The line between regulatory enforcement and political pressure is growing blurrier by the day.

As of now, Gokulam Gopalan has not responded publicly to the ED's actions. But for many in the film fraternity, the signal is loud and clear: step outside the accepted script, and you may face consequences beyond the box office.