Hey there, movie lovers! If you’re a fan of high-octane action, political intrigue, and Mohanlal’s magnetic screen presence, then L2 Empuraan Box Office Collection is probably already on your must-watch list. Released on March 27, 2025, this sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer didn’t just deliver thrills—it stormed the box office like a force of nature. Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film grossed over ₹268 crore worldwide in its lifetime run, making it one of the biggest hits in Malayalam cinema history. But here’s the twist: despite its global success, it faced some financial hiccups at home due to its massive budget. In this easy-to-digest guide, we’ll break down the L2 Empuraan Box Office Collection, explore why it resonated so widely, and chat about what it means for Indian cinema. Grab some popcorn—let’s dive in!
What Makes L2 Empuraan Such a Big Deal?
Before we get into the numbers (because who doesn’t love a good box office breakdown?), let’s set the scene. L2 Empuraan picks up five years after Lucifer, where Mohanlal’s enigmatic Stephen Nedumpally—aka Khureshi Ab’raam—returns to tackle a web of global politics, communal tensions, and high-stakes espionage. Prithviraj steps up as both director and co-star, bringing back his character Zayed Masood with even more intensity. The cast is a powerhouse: Tovino Thomas, Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, and international faces like Jerome Flynn add layers of star power.
Shot across India, the UK, US, and UAE over 145 days, this ₹150–175 crore magnum opus was a technical marvel—IMAX-ready visuals, Deepak Dev’s pulsating score, and Murali Gopy’s sharp script. It wasn’t just a movie; it was an event. Advance bookings in Kerala alone hit ₹12.40 crore, topping even Leo‘s record. Fans queued up, theaters buzzed, and social media exploded. But as we’ll see in the L2 Empuraan box office collection stats, the real story unfolded over weeks of ups, downs, and controversies.
The Explosive Opening: Day 1 Box Office Breakdown
Talk about a bang! L2 Empuraan hit theaters on a Thursday, and it wasted no time rewriting the rulebook. On Day 1, it raked in ₹21 crore net in India, with the Malayalam version alone pulling ₹19.45 crore. Add in dubbed versions—Tamil (₹0.80 crore), Telugu (₹1.20 crore), Hindi (₹0.50 crore), and Kannada (₹0.05 crore)—and the domestic gross climbed to ₹24.50 crore.
But the real fireworks were overseas. With a massive diaspora fanbase, it grossed ₹43 crore from international markets, pushing the worldwide total to a staggering ₹67.50 crore. That’s the biggest opening day ever for a Malayalam film, eclipsing Marakkar‘s ₹20 crore mark. Occupancy? Over 53% in Malayalam shows, with evening slots nearly packed at 59%. Kerala theaters were electric—families, friends, and superfans turned it into a festival. Globally, it debuted at #3 on Comscore’s opening weekend chart with $20 million.
Why the hype? Pre-release buzz was off the charts, thanks to teaser drops and Mohanlal’s dual-role reveal. It felt like the whole world was holding its breath.
Steady Climb Through the Weekend: Days 2–4 Collections
The momentum didn’t fizzle—it built. Day 2 saw a natural dip (as openings often do), collecting ₹11.10 crore net in India (worldwide: ₹34 crore, total ₹102.50 crore). Still, that’s solid, with Telugu and Tamil versions holding strong at ₹0.80 crore and ₹0.60 crore respectively. Occupancy dipped to 8–14% in non-Malayalam belts, but Kerala’s 40%+ kept the fire alive.
Day 3 bounced back with ₹13.25 crore net domestically (worldwide add: ₹35.50 crore, cumulative ₹138 crore). Saturday vibes worked their magic—action sequences like the UAE chase had audiences cheering. By Day 4 (Sunday), it surged to ₹14 crore net in India, crossing ₹50 crore domestic gross and hitting ₹174 crore worldwide in just four days. Overseas? Another ₹38 crore, fueled by UAE ($5.9 million alone) and US showings.
This opening weekend made L2 Empuraan the first Malayalam film to crack ₹100 crore in two days and ₹200 crore soon after. It wasn’t just numbers; it was a cultural moment. Theaters in Kochi and Dubai reported sold-out IMAX screens, with families bonding over Mohanlal’s swagger.
Week 1 Glory: Hitting the 200+ Crore Milestone
As the first full week unfolded, L2 Empuraan kept the cash registers ringing. Here’s a quick day-wise snapshot for that powerhouse stretch:
| Day | India Net (₹ Cr) | Worldwide Gross Add (₹ Cr) | Cumulative Worldwide (₹ Cr) | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Thu) | 21.00 | 67.50 | 67.50 | Record Malayalam opener |
| Day 2 (Fri) | 11.10 | 34.00 | 102.50 | Steady hold despite dip |
| Day 3 (Sat) | 13.25 | 35.50 | 138.00 | Weekend rebound |
| Day 4 (Sun) | 14.00 | 38.00 | 174.00 | Crosses 50 Cr domestic |
| Day 5 (Mon) | ~10.00 (est.) | ~25.00 | ~199.00 | Edges toward 200 Cr |
| Day 6 (Tue) | 8.55 | 23.00 | 222.00 | Strong mid-week |
| Day 7 (Wed) | 5.65 | 8.70 | 230.70 | First week close |
By Day 7, India net stood at ₹84.35 crore, with worldwide at ₹230.70 crore—surpassing 2018‘s ₹180 crore lifetime haul and becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever at that point. Overseas markets like the Gulf and North America contributed over ₹132 crore, proving Mohanlal’s global pull. Critics raved about the VFX and action (The Hindu called it a “visual spectacle”), though some noted screenplay dips. For families, it was a thrilling ride—grandkids loved the stunts, grandparents appreciated the political nods.
The Rollercoaster Continues: Week 2 and Beyond
Week 2 started strong but hit speed bumps. Day 8–10 added ₹3.85 crore (Day 11), ₹3.35 crore (Day 10), pushing India net to ₹98.35 crore and worldwide to ₹253 crore. By Day 14, it crossed ₹250 crore globally, with India at ₹101.69 crore net.
Controversy struck around Day 10–12: Backlash over Gujarat riots references led to ED raids on producer Gokulam Gopalan’s offices and calls for bans. Mohanlal issued a heartfelt apology, emphasizing no intent to offend. Did it hurt? Collections dipped 47% on Day 2 post-release but recovered. By Day 15, ₹0.55 crore added to ₹102.90 crore India net (worldwide ₹262.30 crore). Occupancy hovered at 17% in Malayalam, 14% in Tamil.
| Week | India Net (₹ Cr) | Worldwide Gross (₹ Cr) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 84.35 | 230.70 | Peak frenzy |
| Week 2 | +18.55 (total 102.90) | +31.60 (total 262.30) | Controversy impact, steady hold |
| Week 3 (Day 18) | +1.24 (total 104.14) | ~270 | Slowdown begins |
Day 18 marked ₹104.14 crore India net, worldwide over ₹262 crore. The film crossed ₹100 crore domestic in 15 days—a feat for any regional flick.
Final Tally: Triumph Abroad, Mixed at Home
After a 35-day run, L2 Empuraan closed with ₹106.64 crore net in India (₹124 crore gross) but soared to ₹268.08 crore worldwide, thanks to ₹142 crore overseas. It beat Manjummel Boys (₹142 crore India) to become 2025’s top Mollywood earner and #9 Indian film of the year. Later reports pegged total revenue (theatrical + non-theatrical) at ₹325 crore, making it the first Malayalam film over ₹300 crore globally.
Budget woes? At ₹180 crore, it recovered just 59% domestically—a “losing affair” in India per trade experts. Yet, overseas dominance (topping Chhaava‘s ₹100.90 crore) turned it into a historic win for Malayalam cinema. By Day 32, it added a mere ₹3 lakh in the fifth weekend, signaling the end.
Why Did L2 Empuraan Perform Like This? A Casual Analysis
Let’s keep it real: L2 Empuraan‘s box office journey was like a spicy curry—intense, flavorful, but not without some heat. The franchise magic from Lucifer (a cult hit) pulled in loyalists. Mohanlal’s gravitas? Timeless. Prithviraj’s direction elevated it to pan-Indian appeal, with dubs working better than expected.
Overseas love came from the Malayali diaspora—UAE, US, UK theaters were packed with NRIs reliving home vibes. But challenges? The ₹180 crore budget (most expensive Malayalam ever) set a high bar. Controversies over politics and riots sparked boycotts, hurting Week 2 legs. Piracy leaks on Telegram didn’t help either. Still, word-of-mouth on action and Mohanlal’s monologues kept it afloat.
For everyday viewers, it was accessible escapism. Kids dug the gadgets and fights; adults pondered the socio-political jabs (without getting preachy). Mixed reviews—3.5/5 from Times of India for “not matching Lucifer’s punch,” but praise for tech—didn’t derail the ride.
L2 Empuraan vs. Other Malayalam Giants: Where It Stands
To put the L2 Empuraan box office collection in perspective, here’s a friendly comparison:
| Film | India Net (₹ Cr) | Worldwide Gross (₹ Cr) | Budget (₹ Cr) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L2 Empuraan (2025) | 106.64 | 268.08 | 180 | Hit (Global Superhit, Domestic Average) |
| Manjummel Boys (2024) | 142 | 245 | 20 | All-Time Blockbuster |
| 2018 (2023) | 130 | 180 | 50 | Superhit |
| The Goat Life (2024) | 95 | 157 | 60 | Hit |
| Lucifer (2019) | 65 | 125 | 35 | Blockbuster |
L2 Empuraan trails Manjummel Boys domestically but owns the global crown for 2025. It beat KGF Chapter 1‘s lifetime by Day 9! This sequel proved regional films can go toe-to-toe with Hindi giants like Chhaava.
Beyond the Numbers: Legacy and What’s Next
Numbers tell the tale, but L2 Empuraan Box Office Collection true win? Elevating Malayalam cinema’s footprint. It sparked debates on politics in films, inspired fan theories, and even got Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s nod. Post-theatrical, it hit JioHotstar on April 24, 2025, for home viewers craving a rewatch.
