'L2: Empuraan' OTT release date out: When and where to watch Mohanlal- Prithviraj’s Malayalam blockbuster?

Dubai: After dominating the box office, L2: Empuraan—the much-awaited sequel to Lucifer—is all set to make its OTT debut.

Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and written by Murali Gopy, the political action-thriller is the second installment in the Lucifer trilogy, headlined by Malayalam superstar Mohanlal.

JioHotstar, which acquired the post-theatrical digital rights, announced that Empuraan will start streaming from April 24 in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.

The story follows Stephen Nedumpally (Mohanlal), who leads a secret life as Khureshi Ab’raam, the elusive head of a powerful global crime syndicate. As political chaos grips Kerala, Stephen is drawn back to face dangerous new enemies and shifting alliances in a bid to safeguard his empire and family.

\The film also focuses on Jathin Ramdas (Tovino Thomas), a disgraced former Chief Minister whose greed plunges the state into crisis. As public confidence erodes, demands mount for Stephen’s return to restore stability. The cast includes Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, and Abhimanyu Singh.

Despite its success, Empuraan sparked controversy for its portrayal of the 2002 Gujarat riots and a political figure, drawing sharp criticism from right-wing groups.

The film eventually underwent 24 post-release cuts, including:

Mohanlal later issued a public apology, stating he had no intent to hurt sentiments. Interestingly, the Censor Board had initially called for only three edits, but political pressure pushed for broader changes.

Director Prithviraj Sukumaran was also issued a notice by the Income Tax Department over alleged financial discrepancies related to the film.

Empuraan dives deeper into Stephen’s transformation into Khureshi Ab’raam and expands the backstory of Zayed Masood (Prithviraj Sukumaran), exploring his rise from 1980s Bombay to becoming a loyal lieutenant in the crime empire.

A key moment comes in a flashback featuring a young Stephen. While initial speculation pointed to AI de-aging, director Prithviraj confirmed that Pranav Mohanlal—Mohanlal’s son—played the role. His impressive cameo has sparked fan theories and raised expectations for the trilogy’s final installment, where he is expected to return.

With high-stakes drama, explosive action, and political intrigue, L2: Empuraan has not only expanded the Lucifer universe but also set the stage for a gripping finale—one that promises to finally reveal the true extent of Stephen Nedumpally’s evolution.