Empuraan: Suresh Gopi dismisses L2E row as ‘all business’, Mohanlal-Prithviraj film cuts BJP leader’s name from ‘Thanks’ card

The recensoring details of Empuraan, which has been the centre of a raging controversy, are out. As many as 24 cuts have been made to the film, starring Mohanlal and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran. Apart from the changes made to violent scenes, the most striking edit was the removal of Suresh Gopi, the Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, from the ‘Thanks card’. The reports of Suresh Gopi’s name being omitted from the Thanks card, come hours after the actor-turned-politician dismissed the Empuraan controversy as ‘all business’. 

Suresh Gopi dismisses Empuraan row, his name cut

Suresh Gopi, the Malayalam star, has finally reacted to the controversy surrounding Empuraan, which has been facing severe backlash from right-wing supporters. However, the BJP leader chose to dismiss the Empuraan row as ‘it is all business’ 

"What is the controversy in this? It is all business...Screwing up the psyche of people and making money,” he told reporters. 

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Suresh Gopi’s name removed from Thanks card

Barely a couple of hours after Suresh Gopi made the statement, the re-censoring details of Empuraan surfaced online that showed the actor-politician's name was removed from the ‘Thanks card’. In the details of the re-censoring that is being widely shared on social media, the very first cut on the list is 'removed Thanks card (Sri. Suresh Gopi)'. 

However, Mathrubhumi News reported that the BJP leader had requested the L2E makers to remove his name from the card.

Empuraan row

Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan, the highly anticipated sequel of the 2019 hit film Lucifer, released in theatres on March 27, 2025, to mixed reviews. However, the film soon found itself in a controversy as right-wing supporters took strong objection to certain scenes in the film. After the row escalated, the makers decided to make 'voluntary cuts' to the film. 

Also read - Mohanlal's unmissable blockbuster thrillers to enjoy on OTT 

The re-edited version is expected to be released in theatres this week. One of the film’s producers, Antony Perumbavoor, had earlier in the day addressed the L2E row, insisting that it was a collective decision to make the changes. Though Mohanlal put up a Facebook post, director Prithviraj and writer Murali Gopy are yet to directly address the issue.