The Mohanlal-Prithviraj starrer Empuraan is set to undergo modifications following widespread protests and criticism, primarily from the RSS and its affiliated publications. The decision to make changes reportedly comes at the request of the film’s producers, and the revisions are expected to be completed by Monday. Meanwhile, the unmodified version will continue to run in theaters.
What Are the Planned Changes?
According to sources, more than 17 modifications will be made to the film, including:
- Alterations to riot sequences
- Edits to scenes depicting violence against women
- Changing the villain’s name
- Muting some controversial references
The modifications are being described as voluntary rather than a result of re-censorship. Interestingly, the Censor Board had initially suggested only two cuts—reducing the duration of scenes depicting violence against women and removing a dialogue that referenced the national flag.
Political Controversy Surrounding ‘Empuraan’
The controversy erupted after the RSS and its mouthpiece accused Mohanlal of betraying his fans and Prithviraj of taking an anti-Hindu stance. A leaked document also revealed that the Censor Board’s nominated members did not intervene significantly during the review process, leading to criticism from RSS leaders like A Jayakumar and J Nandakumar.
The RSS has labeled Empuraan as an “anti-India agenda movie”, and the debate has sparked a divide even within the BJP. While the BJP’s state leadership has distanced itself from any formal campaign against the film, national council member C Raghunath hinted at internal differences within the party over the issue.
Box Office Success Despite Controversy
Despite the uproar, Empuraan has been a box office juggernaut, raking in over ₹100 crore in just two days. The film’s success, however, has not dampened the political backlash it continues to face.
