The controversy surrounding the film Empuraan continues to intensify, with political backlash taking center stage. A new demand has emerged from Tamil Nadu farmers, who are calling for the removal of references to the ‘Mullaperiyar Dam’ in the movie. They argue that the fictional “Nedumpally Dam” depicted in the film is an indirect reference to the Mullaperiyar, and they have requested the removal of specific dialogues they believe could heighten tensions between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Balasingam, coordinator of the Periyar Vaigai Irrigation Farmers Association, voiced concerns over the potential for the film’s portrayal of the dam to fuel unnecessary controversy. “The film suggests that if the dam is damaged, Kerala will be submerged. It also contains lines stating that auxiliary dams are ineffective and a concrete dam isn’t needed. These references should be removed,” Balasingam stated, calling for immediate action to address the matter. The Tamil Nadu farmers’ group has warned of escalating protests if their demands are not addressed swiftly.
However, the controversy surrounding Empuraan goes beyond the portrayal of the fictional dam. The film, a sequel to the successful Lucifer, has faced protests due to scenes that seemingly resemble the Gujarat riots. Political parties have demanded cuts and called for a boycott of the film. In response to the uproar, lead actor Mohanlal issued an apology, and the filmmakers initially agreed to cut 17 scenes from the film. However, the revised version now includes 24 cuts.
In addition to these changes, several alterations have been made to the film. The name of the main villain was changed from Balraj Bajrangi to Baldev, and Union Minister Suresh Gopi’s name was removed from the film’s “thank you” slide after his request. Scenes depicting vehicles passing in front of religious symbols and certain dialogues between the two main antagonists have been cut. References to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) were also muted.
Moreover, scenes of violence against women, visuals of bodies, and conflicts at the film’s beginning have been removed. A scene with a child actor portraying Prithviraj’s younger self, including a conversation with his on-screen father, was also trimmed. Some dialogues spoken by actor Nandu, who plays a minister in the film, were also cut.
(With inputs from Mathrubhumi)
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