The Malayalam film L2: Empuraan, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and starring Mohanlal, has rewritten box office history with its record-breaking opening day collections. Released on March 27, 2025, this highly anticipated sequel to Lucifer not only lived up to expectations but also exceeded them, setting new benchmarks for the Malayalam film industry and beyond. The film’s massive scale, intense action sequences, gripping political narrative, and stellar performances have propelled it to become one of the biggest Indian film openings of all time.
1. Biggest Opening for a Malayalam Film Worldwide
On its first day, L2: Empuraan shattered all previous records to become the highest-grossing Malayalam film on opening day, collecting over ₹65 crore globally. This feat surpasses the previous record held by Mohanlal’s Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea, which had grossed ₹20.1 crore worldwide on its release day. This massive achievement solidifies Empuraan as not just a Malayalam blockbuster but also a game-changer in Indian cinema. It has demonstrated the increasing international reach and appeal of Malayalam films, paving the way for future high-budget productions from the industry.
2. Biggest Opener in Kerala
Kerala, the home turf of Malayalam cinema, witnessed an unprecedented box office frenzy as L2: Empuraan grossed an estimated ₹15 crore on its opening day. This historic number eclipsed the previous record held by Leo, starring Thalapathy Vijay, which had earned ₹12 crore on its opening day in the state. The film’s release in Kerala saw packed theaters, multiple sold-out shows, and an extraordinary response from fans, who hailed it as one of the finest sequels ever made. The remarkable box office success is a testament to Mohanlal’s unwavering stardom and the immense anticipation surrounding the Lucifer franchise.
3. Biggest Malayalam Opening Overseas
The film’s international appeal was equally impressive, making L2: Empuraan the biggest overseas opener for a Malayalam film. The movie grossed a whopping ₹42 crore from international markets alone, which is more than what many Bollywood films manage to collect on their first day overseas. One of the most surprising records came from the United Kingdom, where Empuraan collected around ₹7 crore on its opening day, making it the highest-grossing Indian film ever on day one in the UK. This means the Malayalam industry has now surpassed Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films in one of the most crucial overseas markets.
4. Detailed Domestic Collection Breakdown
Within India, L2: Empuraan registered a total net collection of ₹22 crore across all languages. The Malayalam version contributed the highest share, with ₹19.45 crore, while other language dubs also performed well:
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Telugu version – ₹1.2 crore
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Tamil version – ₹80 lakh
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Hindi version – ₹50 lakh
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Kannada version – ₹5 lakh
The film’s impressive multi-language release strategy has helped it reach a wider audience across the country.
5. Record-Breaking Occupancy Rates
The opening day also witnessed extraordinary theater occupancy rates, particularly in Kerala. In cities like Kochi, the film saw a staggering 97.5% occupancy rate, while in the capital city of Trivandrum, the figure stood at 84.75%. These numbers highlight the immense hype surrounding the film and the sheer excitement among fans. Even in other South Indian states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, the film registered impressive occupancy levels, despite being a Malayalam film primarily targeting its home audience.
6. Biggest Opening Weekend for a Malayalam Film
Even though the weekend is not yet over, L2: Empuraan has already set a record for the highest opening weekend collection for a Malayalam film. The film’s first-day gross of ₹65 crore is already higher than the entire first weekend collections of Aadujeevitham – The Goat Life, another Prithviraj Sukumaran-starrer, which had earned around ₹64.75 crore worldwide in its opening weekend. Industry experts predict that Empuraan could surpass the ₹150 crore mark within its first three days, a historic milestone for a Malayalam film.
7. Comparison with Other Indian Films
While L2: Empuraan has rewritten history for Malayalam cinema, it did not manage to overtake the opening day collections of Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, which still holds the record for the biggest Indian film opening of 2025. However, trade analysts believe that Empuraan has a strong chance of becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time if its momentum continues through the coming weeks.
8. Impact on the Malayalam Film Industry
The success of L2: Empuraan has sent shockwaves through the industry, proving that Malayalam cinema is no longer confined to regional markets but is now a dominant force in Indian and global cinema. The film’s production quality, large-scale action sequences, and gripping narrative have been widely praised. Trade experts suggest that this could open doors for more high-budget Malayalam films with pan-Indian appeal.
9. Future Projections
As the weekend progresses, box office predictions indicate that L2: Empuraan could cross ₹100 crore globally by the end of its first three days. Given the strong word-of-mouth reviews and audience reception, the film has the potential to enter the ₹300 crore club in the coming weeks, an unthinkable feat for a Malayalam film until recently.
10. A Historic Achievement for Malayalam Cinema
The phenomenal success of L2: Empuraan has not only elevated the Lucifer franchise to new heights but has also redefined the potential of Malayalam cinema on a global scale. The film’s achievements in domestic and international markets have cemented its place as one of the biggest Indian films of 2025. It is a proud moment for Malayalam cinema, which continues to push boundaries and set new standards in storytelling and cinematic excellence.
With such an explosive start, L2: Empuraan is poised to become a milestone in Indian cinema, proving that strong content-driven films, regardless of language, can dominate the box office worldwide.
